Promise me

Promise me when I am gone that you will:

carry the torch of freedom and civility

love one another and take care of one another, your brothers and sisters

defend what’s right and rebuild those guard rails so others may feel safe on their journey

listen to other’s viewpoint, hear what they have to say – regardless of your opinion

think of me once in a while, remembering my likes and dislikes

not think more or less of me, since from the get go, I was just human like you

be more fully the person you were meant to be, using my death to enhance your life

see through by now what’s important and what’s urgent. From my vantage point, f**k the urgent, and nail down what’s important

you will switch channels, but not viewpoints – a sense of who you are

be fearless, and when trembling, think of me, to find courage and to rise above yourself

come out, without any reservations. Let gay be gay, straight be straight and anything in between. Live your life and live fully on those last leg

I am here for you, in a marked grave so you can find me even if Google can’t.

I am dead but never felt more alive, because of my dreams and yours

Those promises and dreams, unfulfilled but alive nevertheless…that some day…..