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Jud's Burial This Saturday...
On Saturday, Kat and I will return to South Dakota for the burial of Jud's ashes in the family plot in Yankton. I have agreed to read the following poem, one of my favorites. I don't care if I cry, but i do want to get through it. Please think of me on Saturday and send prayers and wishes for me to just make it through. I also want to share it with you. It is very special to me.
On the death of the Beloved
by John O'Donohue
Original Language English
Though we need to weep your loss,
You dwell in that safe place in our hearts,
Where no storm or might or pain can reach you.
Your love was like the dawn
Brightening over our lives
Awakening beneath the dark
A further adventure of colour.
The sound of your voice
Found for us
A new music
That brightened everything.
Whatever you enfolded in your gaze
Quickened in the joy of its being;
You placed smiles like flowers
On the altar of the heart.
Your mind always sparkled
With wonder at things.
Though your days here were brief,
Your spirit was live, awake, complete.
We look towards each other no longer
From the old distance of our names;
Now you dwell inside the rhythm of breath,
As close to us as we are to ourselves.
Though we cannot see you with outward eyes,
We know our soul's gaze is upon your face,
Smiling back at us from within everything
To which we bring our best refinement.
Let us not look for you only in memory,
Where we would grow lonely without you.
You would want us to find you in presence,
Beside us when beauty brightens,
When kindness glows
And music echoes eternal tones.
When orchids brighten the earth,
Darkest winter has turned to spring;
May this dark grief flower with hope
In every heart that loves you.
May you continue to inspire us:
To enter each day with a generous heart.
To serve the call of courage and love
Until we see your beautiful face again
In that land where there is no more separation,
Where all tears will be wiped from our mind,
And where we will never lose you again.
Views: 137
Comment
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Comment by Israel Girl (Chris) on July 26, 2012 at 11:55am -
That's beautiful, Suz!
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Comment by Jill on July 26, 2012 at 10:05am -
What a beautiful poem. I love the line: "let us not look for you only in memory...you would want us to find you in presence." Thank you for sharing it.
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Comment by Joyce on July 7, 2012 at 9:08pm -
Suz: This is beautiful! I hope you were able to get thru the reading today. Sending lots of hugs!
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Comment by AEDforever (Ali) on July 7, 2012 at 12:55am -
It's beautiful Suz. And although it will be hard, I know you will speak it with grace. Love to you my friend. ((Hugs)).
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Comment by hendrixx2 on July 6, 2012 at 9:13pm -
Wow Suzer, Amen...
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Comment by Lynne on July 6, 2012 at 8:30pm -
Suz, wishing you all the best this weekend and know that we're all sending tons of positive energy your way. The poem is lovely, of course, as everyone has said, and I'm sure it will touch all who are gathered there. From one widow to another, just be yourself and feel what you feel and all will be well. Take care and travel safely. L.
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Comment by lovie on July 6, 2012 at 11:44am -
Suz, As painful as this will be, I believe that you will come back stronger and with more ability/desire to look ahead to your future instead of behind to the past. You will not move on without Jud, just move forward with the pride and love that your wonderfully long marriage blessed you with. The amazing strength in spirit of all of the WV widows and widowers will be with you all the way. Do not be afraid to stop, pause, breathe and gather your thoughts if you feel you need to during the reading. It is what my children did when they read at my husband's service. It gave everyone there a chance to pause, absorb and process all that was being said, too. Prayers to you.
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Comment by wackywidow on July 6, 2012 at 11:39am -
I love it very much....you will be able to read it.....so poignant for all of us...the words
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Comment by Suz on July 6, 2012 at 10:59am -
thank you, my friends,
i am off in an hour. started to cry first thing this morning. i think i am ok, though. i just have to get through the weekend and jud's death will feel more "done." I will just take a breath, if i start crying and pass it on to someone else to read of i can't. it's not a contest!
you are all holding me up. i have never met a kinder group.
Suz
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Comment by Rebirth.Tanya (Tanya) on July 6, 2012 at 9:28am -
Oh this took my breath away- so beautiful...will definitely be thinking of you tomorrow and sending prayers of love, strength, peace, and comfort... <3
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