That unmistakable tone at the other end
For unfortunately it seemed to always be that other end
Distance the barrier for eye to eye
Left alone in the community where life was all good
Accompanied by the ashes she loved
Settled, accomplished and dedicated, rarely sad
An example to her peers and to her kin
Leading a life from day one, surrounded by extremes
Misfortune, never a word she feared
Ploughing onwards, her march, cut short by fate
Joining the Lord, whom she adored, prematurely, in all our opinions
Leaving sadness and shock, though leaving her mark
Seen as a mother, a second mother, a mentor, and a friend
Truly blessed with her gift to withstand extremities
Trusting only in God and all His grace
Gently serving his flock and his will
Numbers, flowing forthright and skillfully from both mouth and hand
Calculated again and again, though rarely by machine
Spouting words, seldom heard outside the boundaries of her own town
Scottish colloquialisms, spoken in good taste
A learning curve for all who listened
Memorable and defined by an accent, as thick as any local
Now truly missed, with tears and a heavy heart
Remembering her by that one simple line, so defined
It's Jean here
It always was, and it always will be

© Alan Zoltie January 12, 2010


In Loving memory of Jean Munro, a friend of the truest kind.