Adios Amigos

These three amigos. Rugby shirts by trade, comrades and kindred spirits, up and died quietly during their long summer nap. Barely reaching legal drinking age, they did not wile away their youth. Their short lives were not for naught. They canoed up north and down south, hiked mountains, wandered prairies, kayaked oceans, forged streams, coached debaters, wrote speeches, turned wooden bowls and built furniture. They built camp fires, smoked brisket, cut fire wood, shoveled snow, molded meat loaf into funny shapes, painted Little House on the Prairie scenes  on walls and fixed toys. They never asked for much, just a quiet dresser drawer and an occasional cool bath. Alas, my amigos. My loyal rugbies. I knew you well. Thank you for being there by my side, in fact both of them. Chest and back, too. Rest well, rubber buttons and all, for your toil here has left this world a better place.