Bruce the Blog

Deeply heartfelt thanks from this corner to Yorktowners Ed Donovan and Patty Malan, whose husband Rich is one of Yorktown’s Finest as a police lieutenant. Each sent extremely poignant sentiments in the wake of my March 19 column about the fifth anniversary of our son Harrison’s passsing.
Mr. Donovan’s gift was a lovely poem by Edgar Guest, “To All Parents,” presumably written by the hand of God, that begins, ” ‘I’ll lend you for a little time a child of mine,’ He said, ‘for you to love the while he lives and mourn when he is dead,’ ” and ends, “But should the angels call for him much sooner than we’d planned, We’ll brave the bitter grief that comes and try to understand.” I cherish your thoughtfulness, Ed. The framed poem now graces my office wall.
Patty Malan took pains to write a beautiful note. “I was so sad for you [the day your son died] … but so happy that you had this wonderful young man in your life.” Patty, suffice it to say I was so moved by your card that I could not finish reading it without breaking down. For that, I thank you and your wonderful family, for every time I cry in memory of Harrison, they are tears only of the purest pride and joy because the angels picked a winner.
Ed Donovan and The Malans are but two more reasons relocating our family to this town and region from Long Island in 1993 is the smartest move we ever made.