February 18, 2013

Somehow You Go On.


 
Carrots chopped - you make the soup,

wipe the counter.

You sweep.

Somehow you go on.


You are enveloped and carried by the whispered prayers and warm thoughts of friends, family and strangers.

You sit with the tender hearted boy who so reminds you of her and you smile through tears.

You hear across the miles the wisdom and love in the voice of the young woman who holds her strength and you cry and nod acceptance.

You fall into the arms of the only other person on this earth who comes close to loving you the same way she did.

Somehow you go on.


And you pray for the strength to love with abandon -

fiercely -

those who are left behind.

Because to love is to set yourself up for the gripping pain of loss.

But to know this pain is to know that you have loved fully and fiercely.

And somehow you go on.


In loving memory of my sweet momma ... September 9, 1941 - February 9, 2013

Until I see you again ... You are loved fully and fiercely.


 Japanese Maple gifted to me by my mom.





47 comments:

  1. Brought tears to my eyes. My sincere condolences go out to you and your family. Sending positive thoughts and prayers your way.

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  2. The picture like your words are beautiful. You can feel the bond of love you had for your mom through this post. I will be praying for you. I'm so sorry for your loss.

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  3. I am in tears, again. This is beautiful, my friend, really beautiful. You know I love you.

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  4. What a beautiful post. I'm so very sorry to hear about your loss, you obviously loved her very much.

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  5. This is a beautiful tribute to your mom. I am so sorry to hear of your loss and am sending thoughts and prayers out to you.

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  6. So sorry to hear of your loss. I think of mine every day and sometimes shed a tear.

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  7. Oh Cat, I am so sorry to read this. It too brought tears to my eyes and an ache in my heart! My thoughts are with you. xx

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  8. So Sorry Cat! I know you have a strong family, so take comfort in them.

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  9. So sorry to hear of your loss. How nice that you have plants gifted by her. The garden, to me, is the best place to heal. It holds memories, never judges, and can bury all the tears you need to shed. I hope it's healing for you, too.

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  10. Cat, I feel for you in this difficult time. I just want to add my condolences and know that I am thinking of you and your family.

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  11. Oh Cat! I knew your mom was sick, but I didn't realize just how much so. I'm so very, very sorry.

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  12. Cat, I am at a loss of words. Just know that I am thinking of you all! I love you and miss you guys and wish I could be there to give you a hug!

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  13. Catherine,
    I thought of you today in the sunshine watering my plants. Lifting my thoughts to prayer of comfort and peace for you and your family. So sorry for your loss. ~velv

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  14. I've been through this and know how hard it is. Grieve, cry, scream, and then pick yourself up and get through the day. I am so sorry you had to experience this. Know you're in my thoughts and prayers.

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  15. Catherine, I saw this link through Suzie Davis on FB. I grieve with you, my friend and am so sorry to hear about your Mom. Your words are such a loving and beautiful tribute to your Mother and through them, we feel and know your hope {1 Thessalonians 4:13-18} I pray that the Holy Spirit would surround you and your family and comfort you during this time of loss and grief. Much love.

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  16. No, no, no! I just read your comment on my own blog and came by to visit yours. I am so sorry to hear about your mother. I know I don't know you well, or your mother at all, but my heart goes out to you. I'm sending you warmth and the light of love to help you navigating your way through the loss of your mother.

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  17. A very loving tribute to your Mom! So sorry for your lose. How special that you have these loving words for your mother!

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  18. So sorry, Cat. "To love is to set yourself up for gripping loss." That is so true, and yet to avoid love is so much worse. Hugs, thoughts, and prayers for you and your family, dear Cat.

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  19. I am so sorry to hear about your mother, Cat. What wonderful words you have found to talk about the pain, loss, and intense love between you.
    You and your family are in my thoughts.

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  20. Such a lovely tribute to your mother. Thank you for sharing it. My condolences to you and your family.

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  21. Cat I am so deeply sorry for your pain of the loss of your mother...the loss of our beloved parents is a deep soulful loss. I can only offer you my prayers and loving thoughts for you and your family.

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  22. I am so sorry to hear your sad news. You were blessed to have a loving, wonderful mother and I know you will miss her terribly.

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  23. The love you learned and shared with and from your Mother is abundantly clear (and certainly not only in this post!). Though you may have lost your Mom's physical presence, her relationship with you is far from over. May you and your family find strength in your grief, laughter and hope in the midst of your tears, and the peace that comes from knowing you love and are loved.

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  24. Lovely sentiments; sorry for your loss...

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  25. Oh, Cat. So sorry to hear of your loss.
    Time does ease the pain. But, sweet memories will stay strong.
    God bless.

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  26. Sorry to hear, Cat. That's so well-said, as she must have been all that and more to have you as a daughter!

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  27. I wish I could respond to each one of you personally. Each and every word means so much to me and my family. Thank you for all your encouragement and thoughtfulness. ~Cat

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  28. I just put my own mother under hospice care this week so your message hit me squarely in the heart. I can only offer my deepest condolences and my belief that your mother lives on in who you are.

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  29. Thank you. My family lost someone very special a few days ago as well. I have been startled at the "going on"...amazed that everyone in the world caries on. My heart wonders, and grows deeper and stronger I suppose, though my knees feel weaker. I send blessings of comfort to your tender heart.

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  30. What a rare blessing your mother must have been. Such beautiful words you've posted, describing her through the relationships you have, introducing her to those who never had the pleasure of meeting her. I'm praying for your comfort and God's peace on your family.

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  31. Oh, dear Cat, I am so sorry for your loss. This is a lovely remembrance to your mother. She lives on in your memories and in your garden. The maple is beautiful.

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  32. Somehow, we do go on... time heals they say, but never quite enough to fill the emptiness in our hearts completely. Rejoice in her life and know that her love is still there. Tender moments of remembrance will embrace you at the oddest times... and they will lift your soul and even bring a smile. The veil is quite thin, she is near, you may feel her close by. Sending warm thoughts and faraway hugs to you dear Cat. Still missing my own sweet mother, but it is all good. ♥

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  33. Hey Cat, As with the others, I too am so sorry for your loss. "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace." (Numbers 6:24-26) I pray His unfailing love will be your comfort and peace, and that sweet memories of your mom and her living gifts to you (the maple) will make you smile again...in time. Take care.

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  34. I have tears in my eyes. Oh Cat, I am so sorry for your loss! My Mom is alive and well and so I can only try to imagine what you must be going through. By embracing her memory, I think you will find the strength to carry on.

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  35. Dearest Cat,
    I just saw this today. My heart is with yours right now. I'm feeling love for your dear mother, though I never met her, through your words of love and comfort and strength for us all. Kisses.

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  36. Dear Cat, I'm so terribly sorry to hear about your loss. My sincere condolences to you and your family.

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  37. Beautiful. I wish you peace - and fierce love.

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  38. So sorry for your loss. You will be in my thoughts.

    Laura

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  39. =0( thinking of you. Sorry for your loss.

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  40. Dear Catherine, your post brought tears to my eyes and will remind me to treasure my loved ones every day. You're in my thoughts each day as well.

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  41. Cat, I'm so glad you saw that beautiful moon last night. It was a beautiful sight in northern Virginia! Nature's sign that all continues to go on, that she has her arms wrapped tightly around you and will always be with you until you meet again. If I had free time I would love to meet you while you're here...but I know you're very busy now too. Your words speak so well of loss and having to continue on. You will do it, but it will take time. And though life does continue to go on, it will never be quite the same for you. My prayers are with you.

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  42. Cat, you're in my thoughts today. Just wanted you to know.

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  43. I'm so sorry. What a beautiful tribute.

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  44. Cat,
    Words fall short of expressing my sorrow for your loss. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.

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