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Harvey’s Legacy of Love

He was
a carrot juice enthusiast
a leather vest wearing oilman
a dyslexic entrepreneur
an owner of 28 patents…

But first and foremost
Clara’s adoring husband
“Look how beautiful
and capable she is.
I am so fortunate!”
(He was: she doted on him
and a tower of gracious power
she made his legacy possible)…

He was
Dad to five and
grandparent to seventeen
all wonderful, kind
attentive and genuine
with sanguine interest in each other
an expansive clan of kinship
with deep Texas panhandle roots
where the landscape is barren
but the people are warm…

He was an example of
sweetness and unconditional love
of marriage and parenthood
of supporting others
of honest living without filters
of overcoming limitations in oneself.
He taught his children to value family
and to all be self-employed…

Those of us who were blessed to be
married into this family and its tangents
knew one thing about him:
we knew he loved us
with his whole open heart…

There were about 300 at his funeral
and about 40 family present
when we gathered beforehand
in their living room
holding hands for prayer…

I was overcome with the legacy of love
that survives him as he lives on through it…

We wept when the flag on the coffin
was slowly folded up during taps
each feeling that legacy
burgeoning within us
rippling outward
with gratitude swelling
for being so upheld and included
cared about and accepted…

Truly an unabashedly unique character
he made it easier for you
to be as authentic yourself…

And while there were tears,
there was much more hugging
and food and conversation
rounds and rounds of it
as we honor him
and hold fast
only to the good
just like he did
and let the rest go.

Polly Castor
3/15/16

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