“It's Supposed To Be That Way” II
* * * *
His original poem repeated and how Jim may have added to it.
by Jim Bianculli, 10/22/2008,
published 10/4/2011
Jim and his doctors thought that he
might die in three to five years. It's been 13 years now. This is
Jim's prayer of acceptance. He and his wife, Marilyn “Moey”
Meany Bianculli are just celebrating their 54th
Anniversary. They have six children, twelve grandchildren and three
great grandchildren.
My
mind more and more transposes, misspells, forgets.
It's
OK. It's supposed to be that way.
My
hands are starting to shake.
It's
OK. It's supposed to be that way.
My
arms cannot lift as much, bruise, and cut easily.
It's
OK. It's supposed to be that way.
My
legs, all those cramps, especially at night.
It's
OK. It's supposed to be that way.
My
skin changes color like the Fall season.
It's
OK. It's supposed to be that way.
My
eyes see less and at times blur and tear.
It's
OK. It's supposed to be that way.
My
nose gets sore and runs,
It's
OK. It's supposed to be that way.
My
voice, my signing is bad, I mumble.
It's
OK. It's supposed to be that way.
My
ears grow hair: maybe that's why I hear less.
It's
OK. It's supposed to be that way.
My
nails grow hard, fast and discolor.
It's
OK. It's supposed to be that way.
My
heart beats different and hurts for many different reasons.
It's
OK. It's supposed to be that way.
But
my soul gets stronger and closer to God each day.
It's
OK. It's supposed to be that way,
All
because of Him.
Submitted and typed by Jim's long
time friend, Bob Golden in September 2011. Jim, Bob, Dick Taylor,
Dick McGill and Jack Brown called themselves “The Five.,” They
spent many a day and evening playing pick-up football, basketball and
baseball, and double, triple, quadruple and quint-triple dating.
Jack never married, but the other four were in each others' weddings
and have celebrated their 50th anniversaries. All five
are devout Catholics. They all remain in regular contact.
1/14/12 – The above I sent to our
friends from Elmira Catholic High and posted on our Google blog:
bobmarggolden.blogspot.com (access through Google).
I'd like to add what I imagine Jim
might have added and hopefully he's guiding my hand from Heaven where
he surely is. Bob Golden
Moey
and I go to the doctor. He tells me that I'm producing less oxygen.
But go ahead to Moey's 75th birthday party this weekend.
It's
OK. It's supposed to be that way.
All
because of Him.
We
go to the party. The family is all there, all the kids, their
spouses, the grandkids, the greatgrandkids. We have a wonderful
time, although I'm weaker and weaker.
It's
OK. It's supposed to be that way.
All
because of Him.
Getting
my breath is becoming a greater struggle now. But I still say my
morning Rosary.
It's
OK. It's supposed to be that way.
All
because of Him.
They
give me some medication to reduce the panic of being out of breath.
They advise it will make me uneasy. Moey's with me. Our family is
there with me much of the time.
It's
OK. It's supposed to be that way.
All
because of Him.
The
end is near. My family surrounds me with love. I wish Moey could
come with me. But she'll come later.
It's
OK. It's supposed to be that way.
All
because of Him.
The
priest assures me that with the sacraments, I'm as pure a new born
babe. Moey assures me too, encourages me to relax, “You're OK.
You're fine, dear Jim.”
It's
OK. It's supposed to be that way.
All
because of Him.
I'm
in God's home now, my new home, but my spirit is with you all. It
was a wonderful life with you. It's wonderful here. You'll all love
it. Happy Valentine's Day.
It's
OK. I'm OK. I love you. It's supposed to be this way.
All
because of Him.
Jim
