Whenever I visit my hometown of Pasadena
I make several visits to the sandy beach
and look out over this part of Deer Lake
remembering my young friend Hiram
who got in trouble out on the water
and didn’t make it back to his home
I think about why he died that day
while his parents cared so much for him
and his brother was such a great friend to him
His friends remember a quiet teenager
who loved to read his comics at Harry’s Pool Hall
and earned money to pay for his school books
helping his parents out as much as he could
He was laid to rest on his fifteenth birthday
while his family and friends grieved
So much hope and promise of a family
the future of a life extinguished too soon
As I sit there and remember my Pasadena friend
I think about his legacy of hard work and experiences
and his gentle kindness to his family and friends
knowing that his life meant something to
those who loved and cared for him
This piece is dedicated my childhood neighbour and friend Hiram Hounsell who drowned at one of his favorite swimming places.
Note: If anyone has a photo of Hiram, can you please contact me? Leave a message and I will get back to you.
I lost a nineteen year old brother many years ago. This touched me.
Thanks for sharing. I lost a brother to drowning and another in a fire. They were both very dear to us.
So sad!
Oh, this is such a sad story, a heart breaker, and the lake looks so bleak, as if it is also mourning a terrible loss. You have written this so beautifully and it is a lovely tribute.
Yes, it is a tragic story of loss. I wanted to recognize how his life was and is important. No matter how long we live, we are a part of the universe. We are better for having known Hiram.
Sent from my iPad
I visited solely to thank you for adding a link and then started browsing. This was very touching. Thank you for sharing it.
Hiram was a dear childhood friend, and sorely missed. Each place has its happy and sad components. The lake holds many happy memories but this is one memory that is hard to forget. Back then, schools did not deal with grief the same way as we try to deal with it today. Families don’t get the counselling they need, and the hurting goes on and on.Thanks for reading and commenting!
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