One Year Ago Today

[historyteach]

It was one year ago today, I woke up in the hospital, near my mom's bed, to find she had passed sometime during the night.

Rest in Peace, Connie K.

I'd like to share the poem she had me read at her memorial once more. It is so beautiful, and for me, a spark of her spirit and a statement of her unfailing faith.

How We Shall Laugh

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 around 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!'

I'm not sure if I ever told you this story. When my dad died, 6 years prior to my mom, my sister asked for a sign that he was all right. She was very despondent, because he passed without any warning. Later that afternoon, a beautiful rainbow appeared in the sky. Jo knew that dad was ok.

When my mom died, and after we spread the ashes in the same place as my dad's, we met at her home. Late in the afternoon, a phenomonom occured that I had never seen before, and have never seen since. A double rainbow appeared in the sky! One on top of the other! (here's some examples; not the one I saw. They do exist.)
double rainbow - Google Images
My sister, Jo; her husband and myself saw it. It was no figment of our imagination; no grief halucination. I truly believe it was a sign; my parents were together and they were alright.

Today it's been raining all day. Perhaps the sun will come out and another rainbow will brighten the sky. I don't need one to brighten my mood. I've shed a few tears, but, I've had many, many good memories. I miss my mom, but, she's within my heart always. And I have the greatest gift she could have ever given me -- 6 loving brothers and sisters. What more could I ask for?

Thanks mom and dad!

Shalom!

[indigo]

Thinking of you teach & holding you close in your celebration of the anniversary of mom's journey. Rainbows & butterflies always have been *signs* to me. May you be blessed.
shalom

[Maggiemac]

Thanks for the post I wish that could be me I am still in this grief.

Maggiemac

[historyteach]

Thank you, Indie...
I have indeed been blessed.

Maggie...
Though it seems impossible,
During this greiving season that you must go through right now,
The time will come when
you will look back and smile at the good times that have gone by.
And then, you too, will know your blessings.
Cherish them.

Shalom!

[CAPTAINZING2000]

(((hugs)))

[Wolfstarr]

((((Teach)))) I remember...hugs to you..

My heart is with you in your grief, ((((Maggie))))) sending healing prayers to you...

[historyteach]

(((Wolfstarr)))
You were a real rock for me,
During that very difficult stretch of time.
I am eternally grateful to you.

Shalom!

[Done_With_It]

(((...)))

[NewBeginning010]

They are in a better place with passed friends & family.


Take care & all of the best.

NB

[Katyrose]

Connie, belated hugs on the anniversary of your mom's passing, and thanks so much for sharing that beautiful quote. I lost my son almost a year ago on Sep 4, and those words are truly inspiring.

The rainbows were truly loving signs from your Mom and Dad.

Love and peace,
Joey's mum
Katy

[CatsPajamas]

(( teach ))

It's been a little over 6 months since my mom died, and I haven't really grieved her passing yet. It's especially hard to lose our moms, I think.

I hope you're doing well.

Cats

[TakingCharge999]

Great poem. I needed this today. Thank you. Rainbows are wonderful, I saw a double one too once, it was great. Its true, we will see our loved ones again.

[wuzzled]

historyteach,

Peace be with you.

Loved the poem. Thought about printing it and sending it to my Aunt. My Uncle died almost three years ago, and she doesn't ever talk about him or say his name. It's like he was never here. Hence the lines below really got to 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.

Thanks for sharing this.