When my only daughter died, I promised her that I would use two words in her eulogy. They were.. "kind and sweet". I also promised her that I would continue her work, and tell her that I loved her every day.
Her father died in the same year. It was sudden and I was not there to make any promises. But I knew what he wanted...And it was done.
When I remarried 18 years ago, my second husband and I decided to display the pictures of our former spouses amongst the family photos. It made our children happy to know that we still included them in our lives and that we are who we are, in part, because they "danced" with us.
I make my resolutions on the anniversary of the death of my loved ones. It is a tradition. I light candles and recite prayers. It is done again in Autumn during the holy days of Rosh Hashanna and Yom Kippur.
FAMILY PHOTOS
I never knew this woman
whose picture you will find
throughout my home.
Grandmother of my grandchildren
wife to my husband, then.
My own daughter, no more a child.
A bride barely. Her soulful beauty, steadfast
on dresser, desk and wall.
She smiles at what was then.
I cry for what might have been.
And he, who watches over
me while I grow old, remains
forever young.
His arms around our babies
when life was whole and new.
Not stored in drawers or
albums only, not mere portraits,
of those we love, but rather
Vigilantes of the promises we vowed to keep.
To Remember. Always remember.
On the upstairs hall Book case
On the table in corner of the living room.
In the dining room, on the refrigerator door, on my dresser. In the bathroom, in albums and in our hearts.
We
Remember with Joy
Remember with Thanks
The time we had was Precious
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Marianne Spellman
Angie Miller
Marty'sHusband
James M. Emmerling
wendyo
Ellen Hawley Roddick
Salon.com
Comments
Thanks, Ande, have a great weekend!
R♥
That is a horrific amount of loss for one person. I hope time helps.
Shavuot is one of the holidays that has a Yizkor service. I never knew that before but this year I've learned stuff like that, so we're going.
Preserve your memories. They're all that's left you."
Paul Simon, Old Friends
Didn't see your poem the first time. Glad I caught it now. R
rated with love
I've lived out of a suitcase so long, I don't miss anything furniture, but I have lost some photos that can never be replaced. After reading your post, I'm going to get some frames for many of the photos sitting in a file in my briefcase.
I've been here 4 years, well past time to put family, all of them, around my house.
Thanks for reposting this, I missed it the first time.
Oh, yes, I am wise
But it's wisdom born of pain
Yes, I've paid the price
But look how much I gained
I keep loved ones' photos surrounding me always. It is essential to their memory.
R
Simply thanks.
"My own daughter, no more a child.
A bride barely. Her soulful beauty, steadfast
on dresser, desk and wall.
She smiles at what was then.
I cry for what might have been."
what might have been is what destroys our here & now.
not only in grief, but in such mundane things as
what i should have done or said.
all of the past is prelude.
it all bears meaning we cannot begin to understand..........