Desert Coach

  The Counting. One, two, three, four, Down for the short count. Maybe less, seldom more, Your honor roll. Your true friends. Not a list up in the sky, Connected by a click. Sharing of getting by, Of how they live not die. Such fervent sharing  By the untried ones. Stories of fun nights out, Rampant activity all about. Another list here. Casseroles and proms, Quotes for success, And how we dress. One, two.... The one who always listens, So intent on not jumping in, Thinks it almost a sin, Not to know how you really are. Came when you were broke. Brought what you needed then, Gave and hardly spoke. Just don't pay it back. The other. When life came crashing down, All the others not around, Came when you called their name. Two. That is all. Your bullet friends.

  ERNEST GEORGE DRAFFIN WATSON Ernie was born December 13, 1916 in Winnipeg, Man., Canada. Predeceased by his parents, Charles and Georgina (Draffin) Watson, two brothers and three sisters. His parents emigrated from Edinburgh, Scotland and settled in Winnipeg. Educated in Winnipeg and McGill University, Ernie was employed by the City of Winnipeg Hydro for many years. He enlisted and served in the Royal Canadian Air Force from 1940 - 45, returning to Winnipeg in 1945, he met his future wife, Gladys Pope, whom he married in June, 1947. In 1955, they and their two small sons moved to the warm climate of Phoenix to benefit his arthritis. In recent years, they summered at their home in Sooke, Vancouver Island where they enjoyed sitting in their sunroom visiting with friendly neighbours, watching the moon rise over the Sooke hills and the sea gulls soaring over the harbour. He loved people, especially children, and was very fond of animals. He enjoyed dancing and music, especially the violi