“[Death] is what life is all about, a slow discovery of the mortality of all that is created so that we can appreciate its beauty without clinging to it as if it were a lasting possession. Our lives can indeed be seen as a process of becoming familiar with death…when we see life constantly [in the context of] death, we can enjoy it for what it is: a free gift.
The pictures, letters, and books of the past reveal life to us as a constant saying of farewell to beautiful places, good people, and wonderful experience. …All these times have passed by like friendly visitors, leaving [us] with dear memories but also with the sad recognition of the shortness of life. In ever arrival there is a leavetaking; in each one’s growing up here is a growing old; in every smile there is a tear; and in every success there is a loss.”
~ Henry Nouwen, A Letter of Consolation ~
all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
the pianos and with muffled drum
out the coffin, let the mourners come.
aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
on the sky the message He Is Dead,
crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.
was my North, my South, my East and West,
working week and my Sunday rest,
noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
thought that love would last for ever: I was wrong.
stars are not wanted now: put out every one;
up the moon and dismantle the sun;
away the ocean and sweep up the wood.
nothing now can ever come to any good.”
“There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition, and of unspeakable love.” ~ Washington Irving ~
“Let grief do its work. Tramp every inch of the sorrowful way. Drink every drop of the bitter cup. Draw from memory and hope all that they can offer. To see the things our loved ones have left behind will give us daily pain–the clothes they wore, the letters they wrote, the books they read, the chairs in which they sat, the music they loved, the hymns they sat, the walks they took, the games they played, their seat in church, and much beside–but what would we be without those reminders? Would we like quickly to break with the past in order to ease our grief? Those who truly love will say that they have found in sorrow a new joy, a joy which only the broken-hearted can know.”
~ W. Graham Scroggie,
quoted in Billy Graham’s book Facing Death ~
Prayer Keeping ~ Adrienne ~ Karena ~ Roland ~ Debbie ~ Beckwith family ~ Lea and family ~ Kary ~ Mildred ~ John ~ Noelle ~ Geoffrey ~ Terry ~ Angela, Penny and family ~ Daniel ~ Morgan ~ Meredith ~ Susan ~ Stephanie ~ Winnie ~ Wanda ~ Steve ~ Leslie ~ William and Catherine ~ Becky ~ Rick ~ Misha ~ J ~ Linda ~ Skip ~ Ryan ~ Roy ~ Tonya ~ me ~
I like seeing my mom's and dad's things around my house because it keeps their memory alive for me and it seems they are always close by. In fact, I am wearing one of my dad's old shirts today!
Beautiful thoughts on grief. Continuing to pray for your journey.
Fondly,
Glenda
Praying. 🙂
All of the quotes , all the scripture, moving, true.
My prayers for you Sandra.
Just stopping in to say hello. Today is Tuesday already. I appreciated your post when I read it on Sunday and again when I re-read it today. I hope you are having a good week in your beautiful cove with your sweet-faced sheep and handsome doggie pals.
God bless you and showever His peace upon you.
Wasn't it Queen Elizabeth who said, "Grief is the price we pay for love"?
Wonderful words here.
Blessings on you,
xoxo,
Pamela
Love to you, Sandra. And I hope you've gotten some rest after your weekend. The sheep are beautiful, but I know the farm is so much work.
♥ Hugs and prayers, ♥
Val
Thank you for the quotes and prayers. I'm also glad to see the sheep.
Grief just has to have time.
I felt like I was dead..
yvonne
the oil of gladness…..joy will come in the morning.
His mercies are new everyday.
God bless,
d
Meaningful words today . . .
Stop All The Clocks is powerful . . .
"HE IS DEAD . . . " truth . . .
Every day tears fill my eyes for you, Sandra. Now they are bearing sadness for Kerrie & Bill … as he walks his final journey in this life. She is a very precious friend & also blogger.
KerriesKorner.blogspot.com
Love you.
Hugs,
Marydon
Hello Sandra:
We are very familiar with the Auden quotation which you give here. It captures so beautifully we think the all-embracing nature of Love and how utterly bereft one is when left alone.
But, it is surely better to have known this Love than to never have experienced it at all?
Take comfort, dearest Sandra in the completion of your daily tasks, the indescribable beauty of your wonderful landscape, the love of your friends and family and your faith. Our thoughts and prayers are with you today as always.
For some reason this morning while reading your post, I thought of a book I loved in college, "A Severe Mercy." Have you read it? Do you want to? If so, I'd be happy to lend it to you….
I love you, Sandra…and you lovely sheep too. Happy Sunday, darling.
Thank you, Sandra. Your posts always give me something to think about.
I have loved the Auden quote since I first heard it in a movie (not particularly spiritual movie) – real love can't just end – heal over like a skinned knee or even a stab wound – it goes into our very marrow and the sweetness even in loss won't be wasted. You are doing so well – and I'm here with you – we walk in the valleys knowing mountain tops are still there – we have to keep walking to get to see them again. Much love and prayers for you Sandra – To God be the Glory