I hope when I pass someone (many many many many many years from now)will write something as wonderful as this. Nice post. What a honor for this lady you knew so well!
My grandmother died right before Sept 11 (thank goodness) and my grandfather held on for a few more years. I really have only lost 4 people in my family (grandparents and a great grandmother) and I miss them dearly. The other day I was watching the last ER and there was a part about this old man and his wife -- made me teary - eyed.
Remarkable pictures on a sad day --there's always a light, huh?
Beautiful post! It's almost been a month since my dad passed away, witnessing his life I see that either passing away or still living, do it with faith, then all becomes peaceful and beautiful! I wish you and everybody here a lovely cheerful spring time! =)
It's a beautiful post - images and words - and a lovely tribute to Magda.
April 9, 2009 at 10:31 PM
[Image]
it seems somehow both sorrowful and fitting to attend a funeral here in the liminal space of almost-spring. spring is only just starting to happen, but there is still evidence everywhere of last season. spring hangs in the liminal space between, waiting to fully burst forth, but being chased back by winds that are still a bit too cold and the rattle of last year's dried leaves.
[Image]
it seems especially sad to die right on the verge of spring, to not see the lambs frolic in the green fields, to not see the magnolia unfold its delicate blooms, to only have seen the earliest snowdrops and bluebells, but to miss out on the tulips and the daffodils. but seasons come and seasons go and life has its seasons as well.
[Image]
so to leave the here and now at this time and go to whatever might be next is perhaps fitting. the beautiful flowers of yesteryear making way for the new, fresh buds and blooms of tomorrow. a life well lived moving to the next level, leaving behind sorrow for those who are left here in the liminal space. but to have lived well and been kind and good-hearted and thoughtful to those who miss her now. to leave behind the pain of a cruel illness and move into the rebirth of green, the sunlight of a flower-strewn spring, seems somehow the best ending one can hope for. to have loved and been loved, to have laughed, to shed tears and have tears shed for you, to leave something behind, a mark on the world--in the form of children and grandchildren and a home that really feels like home...it's what we're all striving for in our own way. it's an achievement of the highest order.
[Image]
and although the sun set on a life well-lived today, the sorrow is all ours, those left behind, who will miss her laughter, her kindness, her positive spirit, staying up late drinking one more glass of red wine, fresh soft-boiled eggs from her hens for breakfast, her fantastic dinners, those little fjord shrimp that sabin, at age 3, trotted back into the kitchen again and again, saying "mere, mere" until magda laughed with delight at how much such a little girl could eat. we're left with the good memories and an empty spot in our lives.
[Image]
here at the change of seasons, a reminder that life is as cyclical and predictable as they are, even in their unpredictability.
12 Comments
Close this window Jump to comment formI was just telling my 6 year old 1 hour ago... it is not the person who has passed away that is sad, it is those left behind...
I hope that is true
April 8, 2009 at 1:02 AM
Beautiful, beautiful post....
April 8, 2009 at 1:15 AM
beautifully written and what I needed today...it is the 9th anniversary of my father's funeral.
April 8, 2009 at 1:57 AM
Lovely post and the pictures (especially the first one) are beautiful! Barb
April 8, 2009 at 2:18 AM
I hope when I pass someone (many many many many many years from now)will write something as wonderful as this. Nice post. What a honor for this lady you knew so well!
My grandmother died right before Sept 11 (thank goodness) and my grandfather held on for a few more years. I really have only lost 4 people in my family (grandparents and a great grandmother) and I miss them dearly. The other day I was watching the last ER and there was a part about this old man and his wife -- made me teary - eyed.
Remarkable pictures on a sad day --there's always a light, huh?
April 8, 2009 at 2:34 AM
Beautiful post! It's almost been a month since my dad passed away, witnessing his life I see that either passing away or still living, do it with faith, then all becomes peaceful and beautiful! I wish you and everybody here a lovely cheerful spring time! =)
April 8, 2009 at 3:03 AM
This is a lovely heartfelt post Julie, perhaps her family would like a copy of your words?
April 8, 2009 at 3:51 AM
Oh, my. You could have written this for me. Oof.
Beautiful.
April 8, 2009 at 3:54 PM
Beautiful, beautiful - thank you.
April 8, 2009 at 5:48 PM
I'm sorry about your loss, Julie
April 8, 2009 at 11:20 PM
Beautiful, well-chosen words. Sorry for your loss.
April 9, 2009 at 1:34 PM
It's a beautiful post - images and words - and a lovely tribute to Magda.
April 9, 2009 at 10:31 PM