More Than A Gathering

It's hard to describe the moments that make up a day.

The waiting and standing while talking to friends.

Serenity is around us as we look for the time when

we will stand and present an item to be signed.

The excitement peeks and quickly then wanes as

we walk shyly away with thank you exchanged.

Stuffed animals given in abundance and joy,

for children's lives touched brings us peace.

The room fills quickly and the introductions made.

The cheering and flashes take over the stage.

We smile and prepare for an entertaining show.

The questions and answers are pleasantly said,

Such love and humor shared to be forever treasured.

The auction is fast and races with bids from

one end of the room to the other were made.

They're happy to give a part of themselves with a

generous gift that's more than charity.

It touches our hearts and makes us believe.

I did cry to see the fans give so much in return.

The Jim Byres concert is the best so intense

and the music goes through you strong and

it picks you up to lift you until you move in a

rhythmic flow as Jim gives his all into his music

telling us he loves us there and now.

The moment to leave is the saddest of all,

I'm driven to the need to not say good bye to

the friends I now hold dear from APIPC to

the Forumlanders to the staff who worked there.

A "Thank You" is said out loud

and whispered as well to those whose

presence has imprinted our lives,

"Thank you..."

Written after the Highlander Gathering in 2000

G5 In Denver Colorado