It’s been just a year since Whidbey Island lost its favorite historian, writer, author, poet, columnist and friend, Dorothy Neil. She was known and loved by everyone. Recently, her friend Mavis “Chic” Schulle found this poem Dorothy wrote in 1994, in which she celebrated her last performance. I am passing it on to you. We hope you can find room for it in her favorite newspaper, the Whidbey News-Times.

Lee Brainard

Oak Harbor

When I go …

If and when I leave those whom I love,

Grieve not, nor speak of me with tears,

But laugh and talk, and view the world

Through rosy glasses, tomorrow’s hope …

And make the world a better place to live,

If only for a moment, in a small spot on earth.

Recall when I was with you, we found

Humor in the smallest things, we found

Joy in local singing, choirs that

Lifted me a step nearer that heaven, where

I am now, waiting while I visit with

The ones that left before me, ones I love,

Whom I have longed to see and clasp

In unrequited ecstasy. Tears of joy,

The only tears.

There are so many things that I would

Love to say to you, should I have stayed;

So many things to write, that may be lost,

But someone else may do those things,

While I remember only that I love you

With a love that will be more precious

When we meet again!

Dorothy Neil

1994