To Trinidad Forever

Yesterday I received a sad message from Karen Marian Watson, daughter of Steve and Kathleen Crawford. Karen wrote saying that on Sunday, August 8th, "mummy" died at the New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Wilmington, North Carolina. The previous Wednesday she had a stent put into her kidney and was on the verge on dialysis, which the stent would have stalled for awhile. Her death at age 77 was fully unexpected and a great loss.
I came to briefly know Steve "Steups" Crawford and Kathleen during the time last year Melanie was at Orlando Regional Medical Center battling H1N1. Kathleen was also in the hospital, recovering from having a stent placed in her heart.
Steve was staying in the Hubbard House along with his daughter Karen and her daughter from Chesire, England. I felt an immediate kinship with Steve, as in his British accent he would speak in such a loving manner of his Kitty. I would walk with him over to the hospital and try to be of any assistance I could to him.
Steve and Kitty spent many of their early years living in Trinidad, and this Tuesday, the family is taking Kitty's ashes to spread on the waters there. The following is a poem I wrote for Steve and Kitty while at Orlando. It was the same poem I reworked and used for the last testimony service Melanie and I did at Romona Park Church recently.

Come Away

Walking upon the grassy meadows of the highlands,
From the mists comes Kathleen and takes the hand.

The tempest loud, in land of the brave we dwell.
Armies and empires cannot this fiery love quell.

Come away my Kitty, come away my fair maiden,
From these walls of mourn so heavy laden.

The flowing locks of black, freely flying fast,
Give chase, come! We climb the Moorlands vast.

Come away my love, come away my little dear,
Without my Kitty, this warrior sees a weary drear.

Recall the days spent on Trinidads Pigeon Point,
Our cares so few, a growing love the only want.

O come away, mend this tender heart my prayer,
Let these Coulin locks on high flow for 'er!

Let this Salty fish clasp my Kathleen's soft felt hand,
Stand fast and bravely face our fade from this land.

Come away, Come away, our love will live this day,
On grassy meadow the memory to n'er fade away!