THE HAWK

Sixty-one year old “Ron” suffered from lung cancer. He came onto hospice because his doctor felt it was time. Ron lived with his wife, “Susan”. They were married over twenty-five years. Susan had two children from a previous marriage and Ron welcomed them into his life; as they him. Susan’s daughter, husband and their three young boys were temporarily living with Susan and Ron in order to save up for a down payment on their own home. Susan’s son, “Kevin”, lived about three miles away.

The first time I met Ron, I was immediately struck at how easily he spoke about his dying. He wasn’t afraid at all. Yes, he did not want to leave his family, but knew it was in God’s hands and that he was going to a better place.

Ron comes from a very religious family. His grandfather established a Presbyterian church nearby which has been a thriving parish for years. Ron lived and breathed his faith, giving he and his family great support and comfort.

Ron was on hospice for only two months. His death came rather quickly after a sudden decline. A few hours before Ron died, Susan called her son, Kevin, to hurry over. Ron died a few hours later right before sunrise. A short time after Ron died, Kevin walked out to his car to drive home. Before he started his car, a hawk suddenly flew by and landed on the tallest tree in his parent’s backyard. Kevin called the family outside to see. The hawk was staring down on all of them.

Kevin then drove the three miles to his home. As he was pulling into his driveway, another hawk soared by and landed on a tree in Kevin’s yard. It, too, was staring down on him. Was it the same hawk? Was it his father? The important thing is that the family all believe it to be Ron and it gives them comfort. It was poignant as Ron was a retired Middle School teacher and the family always teased him about watching the kids in his classroom like a hawk. Somehow it is a beautiful ending about an amazing man that I was honored to have met, if only for a few weeks.

Addendum: I received a phone call today from Susan. She was sharing the memorial they had for Ron two days prior. I had mailed “The Hawk” poem to her. She said that Ron’s sister, “Nancy” read it at his memorial. After the service, Nancy started to cry as she also wanted to have a sign that Ron was okay. She was upset that he hadn’t come to her like he had to Susan and her family.

The moment Nancy pulled into her own driveway after the service, a large hawk landed on her front lawn. Coincidence? God only knows.


THE HAWK
　

They weren’t surprised that it happened.
They all knew he would come by,
telling them that he was okay.
Letting them know he was flying high.

He talked openly about his illness.
He was never afraid to die.
His faith was deep and all that strong.
He knew he was going to Paradise.

He taught middle school for years.
He was creative and well liked.
They always teased him and joked
that he watched his kids like a hawk.

They immediately knew it was him
when that hawk suddenly flew nearby,
settling on top of the tallest tree,
watching them from above.

Moments later when his son got home,
another hawk was soaring above.
It too kept an eye on him
as it perched on top of a nearby tree.

The family is comforted knowing he’s okay.
His message to them was loud and clear.
Perfectly relayed by one of God’s glorious creatures;
a magnificent, majestic hawk.