Hope Center

established to address the unmet needs of patients & families

affected by HIV in Knox & surrounding counties

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Seasons of Hope ... Fall

In Memory of

David William McNabb

November 5, 1953 - January 8, 1999

The flame from the small candle

danced and flickered in the warm spring breeze.

The candle was young, its flame strong.

Its warmth and glow would be felt by many.

A dark wind came

from out of nowhere, without a name,

a cold foreboding wind

carrying the sting of death.

The tiny flame shuttered, twisted, and turned,

bracing itself against the aggressive wind.

The wind was relentless.

As time and suffering passed,

the flame and wind

learned to understand each other.

click on picture to view Quilt block

The dark wind ceased to blow

and for a short while the tiny flame,

now dim and weak, was at peace.

But soon the flame was visited

by a warm gentle breeze-

a solitary puff-

and the small flame

was extinguished forever.

But the candle was still young.

The candle still had life left.

Vernon Lee Gillian