Author’s Note and Warning: this is a death moment. In age-old pre-Christian Europe, the summer solstice fires were a moment of ceremony. Some dance around the flames, other jump over them. It’s a celebration of life….
A summer evening 50 years on:
We always said it was Me and Thee when it came down to the nitty gritty of life. In the short time that we worked together, we never let each other down. I was always there for you and you were always there for me. My mind goes back to the day you said: “When the time comes I want to jump off the cliff with you…”
When Cathy called me and said that you were coming to the end, I fought back the tears and booked my flight. Alison was long gone, cancer took her too soon. I called the kids and told them what they already knew. You were at the end of your time and I had already hung on far too long.
So here I am, buddy; ready for that last ride into the sunset. I chose tonight for a reason. The summer solstice, the longest night of the year, one last warm evening before we go to the twilight forever.
Take my hand.
Come with me.
A glass of wine.
A last farewell song.
Take my hand and we’ll jump the fire one last time together.
