Dale Don, 1928-2015

      My father died this morning.

      He was a strong and principled man who woke up every day of his life and set out to do
      the right thing. He raised his family well and endured a long illness with courage and grace.
      We knew he would not be with us forever, but it is a shock to realize that, at least for now,
      we must bid him farewell.

Death, Be Not Proud

by John Donne

Death, be not proud, though some have called thee

Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so;

For those whom thou think'st thou dost overthrow

Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me.

From rest and sleep, which but thy pictures be,

Much pleasure; then from thee much more must flow,

And soonest, our best men with thee do go,

Rest of their bones, and soul's delivery.

Thou are slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men,

And dost with poison, war, and sickness dwell,

And poppy or charms can make us sleep as well

And better than thy stroke; why swell'st thou then?

One short sleep past, we wake eternally

And death shall be no more; Death, thou shalt die.