I am in the same situation Ann and as I wrote my Mom's eulogy this thought came to mind,
"How does one put together words that are worthy of a person's life? It is a difficult task because they are none of those things. Perhaps it comes down to the essence of her, of each of us, the whisper that will always remain when the person is gone. It's what is imprinted in the future generations of our family and what we think of when our heart lingers on thoughts of her."
As you say, it is a poem made of memories, of the essence of them, and of us.
I am sending you love across the miles, may you find solid moments amidst the wobbliness of this time.💗
How beautiful and true, Ann, thank you for sharing. I’m sorry for your loss - may the beautiful moments from the time spent gathering to honor your father’s life be the sweetness that continues to take the edge off the sorrow in this season 💕
Thank you for writing so beautifully- the details, the noticing. Visually cinematic as I read your sentences. You brought me right there with you. Sending comfort and care during this difficult time, Ann.
Thanks Brian. I used to wish for a photographic memory, but I’ve changed my opinion. I think the way the mind sifts and chooses memories is very beautiful.🌿
Through hills of saffron, northward bound we roam,
In cars we journey, bringing memories home.
With kin and comrades, hands clasped tight in ours,
In their tear-filled eyes, our shared sorrow flowers.
These tears for dad, in beauty they glisten,
As incense rises, we pause and listen.
The bagpipes' drone fills the sacred space,
In church aisles, our somber steps we trace.
The wafer of communion, on tongues dissolves,
Around us, the world in silence revolves.
A procession, with lights in solemn dance,
Emergency vehicles in their final stance.
The sky stretches in endless shades of blue,
Streets quiet, paying homage, respectful and true.
A fire truck stands, flag flying with pride,
At the cemetery's entrance, it cannot hide.
On his grave, roses red as love's deep vow,
Our names with his, etched in stone, here and now.
“Father of Ann & Sharri,” the epitaph reads,
A bond unbroken, fulfilling all needs.
A dispatcher's voice, over radio declares,
“Rest in peace,” a farewell that cares.
“Your service honored, your duty now ours,
In peace may you rest, beneath the stars.”
In this ceremony of loss and love's due,
In the echo of bagpipes, in the sky so blue,
We remember, we honor, in this sacred call,
A journey of heart, love encompassing all.
Gloria, thank you.❤️
❤️❤️❤️
Such distillation of emotion!
Thank you for bringing us with you into the memories of this tender microseason, Ann.
Light and peace to you and yours. ❤️
I am in the same situation Ann and as I wrote my Mom's eulogy this thought came to mind,
"How does one put together words that are worthy of a person's life? It is a difficult task because they are none of those things. Perhaps it comes down to the essence of her, of each of us, the whisper that will always remain when the person is gone. It's what is imprinted in the future generations of our family and what we think of when our heart lingers on thoughts of her."
As you say, it is a poem made of memories, of the essence of them, and of us.
I am sending you love across the miles, may you find solid moments amidst the wobbliness of this time.💗
Donna, I know you’ll write a loving eulogy for your Mom. I appreciate your words always. 🙏💗
How beautiful and true, Ann, thank you for sharing. I’m sorry for your loss - may the beautiful moments from the time spent gathering to honor your father’s life be the sweetness that continues to take the edge off the sorrow in this season 💕
Thank you Sydney❤️
Thank you for writing so beautifully- the details, the noticing. Visually cinematic as I read your sentences. You brought me right there with you. Sending comfort and care during this difficult time, Ann.
Thank you my friend.❤️
Only Love Prevails.
I can’t bring them back again
Those moments I hold fast in memory
Dear ones dancing in my dreams
Still reaching out to me
When Spring has come and gone again
And brilliant Summer pales
And Fall sets sail in frosty winds
Only love prevails
No, I can’t change the flow of time
Tho sometimes I’ve wished that I could
But my heart shall bind up all loose ends
And keep them mine for good
So let us recall some old songs
And sing them out around the fire
And hail once more our loved ones before
The hour that we retire
When Spring has come and gone again
And brilliant Summer pales
And Fall sets sail in frosty winds
Only love prevails
Malcolm McKinney 2006
Thank you, Malcolm, this is lovely.
Thankful for those that see the beauty of life through flames. Kindness to you and your family, Ann.
I feel your Kindness. Thank you 🙏
I love this framework of memories as poetry.
A lovely post, especially the reflection of the memory’s from the funeral. Thank you for sharing...💚
Thanks Brian. I used to wish for a photographic memory, but I’ve changed my opinion. I think the way the mind sifts and chooses memories is very beautiful.🌿
What a gorgeous description of how we formed memories, a curation of the moments we deem as poetry 🥲
Jennae, you see it too, now 💛