You had been the best of friends
Always by each others side
So very early in your lives
The bonds of friendship were tied

You both grew up in Sweden
Where many stories you both told
You remained so very close
As the two of you grew old

Together you learnt English
As well as Esperanto
You had such a wealth of knowledge
There wasn't much you didn't know

Two very skilled photographers
We saw much through your eyes
You enjoyed a sense of humour
Sometimes laughing 'til you cried

One of you came to Australia
Which made the other feel so sad
But the man who came to Oz
Was to become my Dad

Dad's friend stayed on in Sweden
He was a journalist by trade
And my Dad became a carpenter
So many beautiful things he made

Cancer claimed my father
Back in May of '99
My days had lost their meaning
And to this day I cry

So I penned my words of love
On many a tear stained page
I kept his memory alive
Through each and every stage

But today is filled with sadness
From the news I did receive
My memories came back quickly
And again I began to grieve

I received a letter from Sweden
To say Dad's friend was very ill
No more photos he would take
In his bed he lay so still

He was now battling cancer
Just as my father had before
So far away I feel so helpless
As my tears fall to the floor

He is now becoming weaker
As his health is fading fast
I hope he soon finds peace
And can be with Dad at last

I'm imagining Dad in heaven
Where he waits so patiently
Preparing to meet his friend
Underneath the silver birch tree

* * * *

I received some very sad news yesterday
from my Aunty in Sweden.My Dad's
best friend is dying of prostrate and
lung cancer and upon reading this my
emotions simply overflowed.Dad and
Bertil were so very close and I had
the privilege of meeting Bertil during
the three times I have visited Sweden.
I take comfort in knowing that Dad
waits for him and he will soon be
keeping Dad company in heaven.

I am in motion
I am blue
Love is an ocean
I'm anchored in you
- Shawn Mullins

Betty Lou Hebert

If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to heaven and bring you home again.