Thought for today:
"Today I go into hospital again for my three-weekly blood transfusion. I am however sad this morning as a dear friend of mine, Clive Poole from Australia, who died last week, is having his funeral service today across the other side of the world. Taken from this earth far too soon in life, I will always remember him as being 'a gentleman and scholar; the man from down under who always came up trumps!'
When my son William and his then girlfriend Eve (now William's wife), emigrated to Perth a good number of years ago and had virtually nothing to start off their life with out there, it was Clive and his wife Julie who stepped into the breach and supplied them with all manner of assistance and things they needed. They supported them materially and psychologically until they got on their feet. They fed them often, took them on outings occasionally and instantly made them a part of their family. Julie was a mother substitute to my son and her husband Clive was a friend indeed. For such acts of generosity in looking after my son and his wife, I will remain forever indebted.
Being unable to attend today's funeral and as my own modest tribute to Clive, I have composed a poem whose sentiments and overall message I think he would have liked. It is called, 'Run Strong the Race of Life.' God bless you Clive and love to Julie and all of the Poole family. My epitaph to you Clive is, 'You never failed to meet the mark of all.'
'Run Strong the Race of Life' : (Dedicated to the life and times of Clive Poole: Born 16/07/54-Died 16/06/15) : Copyright William Forde: June 24th, 2015.
'Run strong the race of life, run deep the search for soul.
Find passage through corn field high, make winner's tape your final goal.
While success will bring you earth's acclaim, no status can revive bad name.
Hold hard and fast to spoken vow, find heaven's promise here right now.
Don't risk the stain of family name, don't let your child inherit shame.
Make old enemies your latest friends; allow new friendship to all ends.
Do this and surely you'll not fall, nor fail to meet the mark of all.'"
William Forde: June 24th, 2015.
"Today I go into hospital again for my three-weekly blood transfusion. I am however sad this morning as a dear friend of mine, Clive Poole from Australia, who died last week, is having his funeral service today across the other side of the world. Taken from this earth far too soon in life, I will always remember him as being 'a gentleman and scholar; the man from down under who always came up trumps!'
When my son William and his then girlfriend Eve (now William's wife), emigrated to Perth a good number of years ago and had virtually nothing to start off their life with out there, it was Clive and his wife Julie who stepped into the breach and supplied them with all manner of assistance and things they needed. They supported them materially and psychologically until they got on their feet. They fed them often, took them on outings occasionally and instantly made them a part of their family. Julie was a mother substitute to my son and her husband Clive was a friend indeed. For such acts of generosity in looking after my son and his wife, I will remain forever indebted.
Being unable to attend today's funeral and as my own modest tribute to Clive, I have composed a poem whose sentiments and overall message I think he would have liked. It is called, 'Run Strong the Race of Life.' God bless you Clive and love to Julie and all of the Poole family. My epitaph to you Clive is, 'You never failed to meet the mark of all.'
'Run Strong the Race of Life' : (Dedicated to the life and times of Clive Poole: Born 16/07/54-Died 16/06/15) : Copyright William Forde: June 24th, 2015.
'Run strong the race of life, run deep the search for soul.
Find passage through corn field high, make winner's tape your final goal.
While success will bring you earth's acclaim, no status can revive bad name.
Hold hard and fast to spoken vow, find heaven's promise here right now.
Don't risk the stain of family name, don't let your child inherit shame.
Make old enemies your latest friends; allow new friendship to all ends.
Do this and surely you'll not fall, nor fail to meet the mark of all.'"
William Forde: June 24th, 2015.
