Over a week and I've been, effectively, radio silent.
So much has happened this week.
Time changes and life slips away.
Our babies are a year older and not babies anymore.
Time slips away and life changes.
I've taken on more time at the day job.
Time changes and life slips away.
I "tidied" the studio a bit.
I've started and stalled on several lovely designs.
Time slips away and ideas change.
I gave our young man a very drastic haircut.
One day he will learn to not zig or zag during a hair cut.
We attended the funeral of a dear friend and neighbor.
Life slips away...
The funeral and events leading up to it consumed so much of my psyche. I have no regrets.
Eunice was the epitome of a life lived well. This ninety-something-year-young dynamo lived her life to its fullest until she couldn't live it anymore. She was full of love, life, and faith. She was an abundantly selfless woman. Eunice, the widow of Harry, was the mother of three, the grandmother of six, and a great-grandmother to six. She was the quiet matriarch who spoke softly, carried a big padded stick and a Ritz cracker.
She welcomed us to the neighborhood along with the others on Perdue Street. The difference between Miss Eunice and the rest is she took an extra genuine interest in our lives. Our children were like grandchildren to her. Our babies love(d) Miss Eunice. She loved them. The three of them had picnics in her backyard. She listened to their stories with the interest of a grandmother. She was the grandmother they didn't know they missed until my mother-in-law moved nearby.
I, no we, will miss Eunice. I've been to funerals in my life but have to admit that Eunice's was the first I really felt the need to openly weep since my own father passed. Don't get me wrong, I've felt the losses during the other funerals but was more concerned with being strong for those around me who needed my strength. During the eulogies, Eunice's grandsons and eldest daughter spoke. I wept. I wept for the stories I knew and the ones I learned that day. I knew Eunice was a particularly wonderful human being. During the eulogies I discovered how her great faith in God gave her comfort all her life. Hers was a life well lived especially through great sorrow and adversity. Selfishly, I want to know faith that great. She worked at it. That is the key. I have much work to do.
The following is a poem/prayer that touched me during the service. Miss Eunice had the unique privilege of being able to plan her funeral. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer three weeks before she died. Until the end, Eunice was the Matriarch of her family and in charge. The sentiment of this poem is what Eunice's family shared she genuinely felt as her physical life faded away. We should all live keenly aware of life's fragile nature. We will be remembered for our understanding.
REMEMBER ME
Fill not your hearts with pain and sorrow,
but remember me in every tomorrow.
Remember the joy, the laughter, the smiles,
I've only gone to rest a little while.
Although my leaving causes pain and grief,
My going has eased my hurt,
and given me relief.
So dry your eyes and remember me,
not as I am now, but as I used to be.
Because, I will remember you all,
and look on with a smile.
Understand in your hearts,
I've only gone to rest a little while.
As long as I have the love of each of you,
I can live my life in the hearts of all of you.
Joey Beighley
Eunice's family misses her but they are strong. Each of them remembers her strength and will use it to move on with their lives. They gather together to remember, laugh, cry, and laugh some more. Life continues even as time passes. We experience loss and then we hobble along. The hobbling continues until we heal and are able to walk, then run to our next destination.
_______________________________________________
This moment in time has passed, replaced by other moments-some poignant others not.
I've started and stalled on several lovely designs.
Time slips away; ideas change.
My inner voice asks me, "Are you serious about any of your half-year resolutions?"
I answer, "Time slips away, ideas change but the goal remains the same."
Life continues...until it can no longer do so.
I created fragments for several stalled but lovely designs.
I've thought of Eunice with joy.
aaahhhhhhhh if life were static what would we do?
yes, sir mama. time passes, slips away but Life continues...until it can no longer do so. I want to live it well and until I am unable to live it any longer.
until next time...
hothouse posey
