You said it all. Not sure of the author but your piece reminds me of a saying I go to when someone leaves me for the greater unknown."What moves through us in silence, a quiet sadness, a longing for one more day, one more word, one more touch. We may not understand why you left this earth so soon, or why you left before we were ready to say goodbye, but little by little, we begin to remember not just that you died, but that you lived. And that your life gave us memories too beautiful to forget...
Nicely written, Mike… having been a religious leader and pastor for many years, your closing comment about faith offering “an easy way out” when it comes to explaining, or understanding, or more completely feeling the death of loved ones, brought a smile to my face. What would the ‘easy answer’ of faith be? They are in heaven? They are with God? They are ‘better off’ now? … I have been pondering it for most of my life, and have found that “easy answers”, whether religious, philosophical, or psychological come up just as short as answers that have none of the underpinnings of faith! Keep working on it! This was a very readable and enjoyable blog, and a great reminder for everyone to work it out in the best possible way for the healthiest outcome! It also conjured vivid, beautiful memories of your Mom
Which is one of the myriad reasons I love you, Ed! You're a searcher. And that's the best thing any of us can be! I definitely think, as you know, those answers get harder and muddier no matter the base of faith as we get older. There is no easy to any question worth answering.
Thanks for sharing this poem. This poem will find a home in my little book of moving and necessary pieces to hold on to...your mother sounds like a wonderful person I would have enjoyed meeting. Your Dad is a special guy and it's apparent you are in his mold. Again thanks for sharing...hold onto your children...they are truly a blessing...
You said it all. Not sure of the author but your piece reminds me of a saying I go to when someone leaves me for the greater unknown."What moves through us in silence, a quiet sadness, a longing for one more day, one more word, one more touch. We may not understand why you left this earth so soon, or why you left before we were ready to say goodbye, but little by little, we begin to remember not just that you died, but that you lived. And that your life gave us memories too beautiful to forget...
Beautiful! My mother took a lot of solace in this poem by Henry Scott Holland in her last few months
Death is nothing at all.
It does not count.
I have only slipped away into the next room.
Nothing has happened.
Everything remains exactly as it was.
I am I, and you are you,
and the old life that we lived so fondly together is untouched, unchanged.
Whatever we were to each other, that we are still.
Call me by the old familiar name.
Speak of me in the easy way which you always used.
Put no difference into your tone.
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.
Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes that we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word that it always was.
Let it be spoken without an effort, without the ghost of a shadow upon it.
Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same as it ever was.
There is absolute and unbroken continuity.
What is this death but a negligible accident?
Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?
I am but waiting for you, for an interval,
somewhere very near,
just round the corner.
All is well.
Nothing is hurt; nothing is lost.
One brief moment and all will be as it was before.
How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting when we meet again!
Source: https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/death-is-nothing-at-all-by-henry-scott-holland
Nicely written, Mike… having been a religious leader and pastor for many years, your closing comment about faith offering “an easy way out” when it comes to explaining, or understanding, or more completely feeling the death of loved ones, brought a smile to my face. What would the ‘easy answer’ of faith be? They are in heaven? They are with God? They are ‘better off’ now? … I have been pondering it for most of my life, and have found that “easy answers”, whether religious, philosophical, or psychological come up just as short as answers that have none of the underpinnings of faith! Keep working on it! This was a very readable and enjoyable blog, and a great reminder for everyone to work it out in the best possible way for the healthiest outcome! It also conjured vivid, beautiful memories of your Mom
Which is one of the myriad reasons I love you, Ed! You're a searcher. And that's the best thing any of us can be! I definitely think, as you know, those answers get harder and muddier no matter the base of faith as we get older. There is no easy to any question worth answering.
I'm so glad you enjoyed the story.
Thanks for sharing this poem. This poem will find a home in my little book of moving and necessary pieces to hold on to...your mother sounds like a wonderful person I would have enjoyed meeting. Your Dad is a special guy and it's apparent you are in his mold. Again thanks for sharing...hold onto your children...they are truly a blessing...