**JRB**

MARINE, BROTHER, HUSBAND, FATHER, UNCLE, MARINE

SUNRISE: MAY 20, 1959 SUNSET: AUGUST 19, 2002

"NOT ON MY WATCH"

EVER VIGILANT

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Today you would have celebrated your

50th birthday. It was to be a grand affair, remember? You've got one up on me,

you're forever 43.

That's ok, it is a good age to be.

I really don't want to cry. I really want to be happy. I'm caught in between somewhere...here and there...and points beyond.

My heart is where you live. I always know where to find you. Where ever else you are,

stay within the light so I know where to find you when my time comes. I'll be looking, you know.

Happy Birthday my love.

©2009/sqb

untitled

again it comes

one more year

passing by

still the beating

of your heart

i can feel

i move on

petrified in amber

on a filigree chain

your heart worn

over mine

my love settles

mellows

i move on

©2008/sqb

Walking with You

I walked along the sand

listening to the roar of the

waves where I let you go,

this walk of mine as close

as I'll ever get to you in this

lifetime again

Your voice came to me on the

wind and I laughed at your

intimate whisper in my ear as

the tears fell, I've become

adept at doing both together

the past few years

Your spirit lives on in this place

I have tried to recapture as my

own space though it doesn't

work well, this me instead of

This stroll with you today was

a private good-bye not knowing

when I'll walk this strand of beach

again, if ever

We talked of life together and I've

always enjoyed your view on things,

I miss that

Thank you for the memories,

my love

untitled

your memory lives on

forever in my heart

times you are so close

it gives me a start

your voice in my

head, fleeting but true

your laugh...oh, your

laugh.... i miss you

i look at your picture

every single day-

how fast eighteen years

just flew away

thank you my love,

for these words to

say.. i promise i won't

cry, only smile today

© 2007/sqb

semper fidelis

another year gone by
a different type of
memory rises from the
fog

etched in granite
i want to be there
to pencil-rub your
name

not your birthday
not your death date
not our anniversary
but Veteran's Day

to be in our yard
with my flag flying
at half-mast for you
then full on-for them

this year i'll shine
your discharge pin-
anchor and globe-
bright in unshed tears
© 2005 Susan Britton

***this was written on 11/8/03, as a dedication for Veteran's Day. I transferred it from one of my other sites***

A TRIBUTE...

Jimmy, hello. I wonder as I write this...can you hear me? Can you see me?
Do you wonder why I, Susan, am so public with my feelings and emotions about you? Why I write the things I do, why I let the world know things that are so intensely private and personal? Not usually my style...but things have changed for me since you went away.
When you left this earth you took most of me with you.
I lament the loss of you; I scream silently every day for you; I bargain with God for your return. Makes no sense, I know this. For you can't return....but I know you wait for me, and you watch over me.
I am struggling to find me again, there are bits and pieces left over..but they are really strong pieces, I am discovering. You are so deeply missed.
My soul grieves your loss.
I want you to know this:
You will always be with me wherever I go
Like the sun in the night,
You'll always be deep in my soul.
Ours was a love...no words...you know?
I want to pay tribute to you for so many things....
As Veteran's Day approaches...I think of you.
Your name is inscribed on an obelisk to be dedicated
on that day...in honor of Veteran's, along with other's.
Honor, Dignity, and Pride, words held dear in our home.
So I will fly my flag in honor of you, and those before you, and those still fighting. I will attend the dedication in your honor, with my head held high, and proud.
You showed me what honor was.
You showed me what dignity was.
You showed me what pride in self and country was.
I had all these things, but you exemplified them.
Esprit de Corps
I learned much from you, love, in our years together.
I thank you for building in me a strength to carry on, to have faith in myself, and to never give up.
You never gave up. You fought till the very end. I look back and am in wonder at your will, and strength of spirit.
Utterly amazing. I am not you, but I try to be like you, and maybe that's why I keep trying...and trying.
You weren't perfect, but no one is. I loved you fiercely, and always will.
So for you, in spirit, I carry on. I hold my head high today as I remember you.
Esprit de Corps
For God
For Country
For the Corps
For the times you were away defending our country, I kept the home fires burning. For the times you stood in defense and said: Not on my watch. I love you. And I thank you.
I was so proud of you!! I still am!!

A line from a song: "If you never say goodbye, to the best things in your life; there are things you never appreciate"

Well, love, I didn't want to say goodbye....and actually I never got to. But I certainly do appreciate all that you were, and all that you did. You chose me to stand by your side, and I proudly and lovingly did that.
I know you still stand by mine, yes I really know this, because I FEEL your presence. There are no coincidences.

This letter, this tribute is my way of saying I love you still, and I'm so glad I got a chance to meet you and be such a part of your life.

Semper Fi, my love, Semper Fi

Susan

© 2003/SQB

"courage doesn't always roar. sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day that says: i'll try again tomorrow."

FLY FREE AND FLY PROUD

SEMPER FIDELIS