What is bravery?
It can be measured in different ways
I measure it by one man
Jim O’Rourke

Fighting for years
Harder than anyone I have met
Merkel Cell was its name
Ever heard of it?

He tried to be normal
We went to play golf
He collapsed on the 6th
We never tried again

Lunches were good
Our regular spot
He was always laughing
Until it got too hard

First we had good news
Then it was bad
Good news came back again
Then confusion

Would it go away?
I think not
First the spine
Then the liver and brain

Human life destroyed by an unknown
Ending up in the fetal position
Oh how I longed for death to come soon

He was not there at the end
I was
His wife and kids upset
I just had to end the misery

Drink this Jim
You will be happier
He swallowed several times
Now he is with God

We drank to his memory
I will never forget
That brave smile he had
Never complaining

The service was nice
I spoke for a moment
Reliving his dream
Not to be forgotten

Remember me how I was
He pleaded for weeks
We cried together one time
It was a poignant moment

Jim you live on
In spirit alone
I visit you now and then
Be happy now

You have no pain
You are in a better place
You are sorely missed
You were so brave.