For Foy - You Remain by Willie Nelson

My brother, Foy, had gusto.  He loved music, and he had an unforgettable, infectious laugh.  He was witty, sometimes cantankerous, and above all, he loved his family with all his heart.  Foy died on this day 8 years ago. 8 years. . . seems impossible.  I remember each moment of that day in excruciating detail, and as painful as that is I'm oddly glad for it.  So many details fade with time, so any bits about him that I can hang onto (happy or sad), I do.   He was only 38 on May 31st 2004.  Thirty eight. . . not enough time, but enough to know we would be better if he were still here and that no matter how much time passes, we miss him.  


My parents faithfully put a small memorial in the paper every year on the anniversary of his death.  Something beautiful that reminds us all of his life.  I love that. . . on the date of his death we remember his life.  This year it will be from a song he and mom listened to often from a favorite Willie Nelson album, The Great Divide. "You Remain".  Yes you do, Foy.  Yes you do.  xx - m.m.


You Remain
Willie Nelson


What do you do with the sands of time
When they carve out lines around your eyes
I can close my fists up good and tight
But I can't hold back the sands of time

What do you do with a memory
That just hangs around and stares at me
I can tear that frame down off the wall
But it won't erase the things I saw

Night and day
Night and day
You remain
You remain

What do you do with old regrets
There's a box full underneath the bed
Just close enough not to forget
But do what do you do with old regrets

There's old house key in a kitchen drawer
To the door I can't unlock no more
Sometimes I hold that key real tight
But what do you do after goodbye

Night and day
Night and day
You remain
You remain

Night and day
Night and day
You remain
You remain