Wednesday, February 15, 2012

a day of love


I spent Valentine's day at a funeral
an elder of my extended family
My sister-in-law took care of her mother faithfully
for 4 1/2 years.. when she had been stricken down by a stroke
Love.
The service was held in a Lutheran church
all the trimmings, as they say
Comfort.
The trip to the cemetery was short
and the walk to the grave site short also
so many elderly who braved the snow and cold to say goodbye
Humbling.
The meal afterwards, the usual: beef, chicken,mostacolli,mashed potatoes/gravy
hot rolls,warm beef vegetable soup and salad
Filling
Watching my brothers, one who just had open heart surgery...
tired and weak, but there. The other, legally blind,sick with a very bad cold, but radiating
goodness.
Watching my mother, worrying about them
Familial
Sitting next to my husband, squeezing my hand under the table
knowing my very thoughts of fragility of life
each of us suffering our own heartache to come
Love

Our first breath we take in from God
our last breath we return to God

 These moments
 birth and death
They are written in the book





24 comments:

  1. Oh, that is wonderful, what you said about first and last breath.
    You see life with a clarity that can be both burden and blessing - but I am glad you share it with us.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. dearest one Liv.....I have learned that everything is a moment.....and even in sadness, joy abounds
      sometimes quiet joy, but joy
      I am so happy that you share with me

      Delete
  2. And all the moments in between are so poignant, especially as you've described them here.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ah..but it is bookmarked by love
      let the sadness come when it does
      and love will hold it up in joy

      Delete
  3. What a loving piece. Especially because family can be the very hardest to deal with- just as you mentioned a few things here-
    significant things! great portrait- thanks.

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  4. yes they are...lovely capture of the day as well...i like the progression between love and love...funerals always give me pause to think on the value of our time...


    thanks for your suggestion too...i dropped it, but put it in the comments in case anyone wondered...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brian...often I have added that last line only to have it pointed out to me that I defused the imagery
      just something for you to consider...and yeah, love

      Delete
  5. So sad but comforting also that those whom we love and who love us as there too in these moments of transience.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Replies
    1. It was, Sarany....it was life...in all its delicate petals.....

      Delete
  7. you always give me what I need, thank you dear Suz. And don't think that I've forgotten you - not for a moment. You have a gift coming from me very soon.
    xox

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Jody, I know my heart will break with joy...
      that it will be hers, even if she never lives to wear it....you have given me the gift of that...hers
      every child precious

      Delete
  8. Beautiful. You've bring a sense of emotional stability to a confluence of hardships we all live. How do you do it?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. how else is there to live but in love
      I have been missing you, I hope your auntie is well and your mom....did you know I have Texas roots?

      Delete
  9. So sorry to hear abt this... Love those two lines about breath...

    JJRod'z

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love the image myself
      learned that from a dear old friend
      and never forgot it
      hamsa

      Delete
  10. Once again Suz you put into words what so many of us only think about, I never seem to get the words out.

    This is a loving post filled with such wonderful moments.

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  11. Suz, I love how you see things. How you can lift the beauty out of even the saddest occasion, finding the sacred in each small event that punctuated the day.

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    Replies
    1. ah Wrinkles, what better way to live, to see things...but as sacred
      a purpose to everything
      even that which hurts us deeply
      thanks

      Delete
  12. Hi Suz, I'm sorry for your loss. Your words resonated deeply with those of us who have lost someone we love. Beautiful passage you wrote. Thanks also for stopping by my blog. Jen

    ReplyDelete

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