Dr. Will’s Memorial Hike

Today a cold and dreary start to your memorial hike

as we walked silently up the new trail to Ferguson lookout.

Our agreed silence so unlike your warm usual presence yet

you clearly climbed with each of the nineteen of us today.

At the first lookout we were surrounded by dense fog

so we walked on to the second view equally fogged in.

This was only fitting as I have been in a fog since

you left us too soon three weeks ago today.

There we each took turns telling a favorite memory of you,

the grace and wisdom you lovingly shared with all of us.

We then shared a rendition of “Amazing Grace”,

a prolonged group hug and raised our glasses to you.

The bitter temperature, slower pace. and me under-clothed

as usual only reinforced the cold I felt as I hiked.

How will I go on without you, my dearest hiking friend?

Even on this familiar trail I remain lost without you.

None-the-less we the remaining “Will’s Wanderers” will

continue hiking every Tuesday morning in your honor.

Our own turns to exit will each come soon enough; I only

hope to leave with half as much grace as you shared with me.

Jim Carillon, December 13, 2022