Tuesday, October 9, 2012

For Marti

Earlier today, my dear friend Deb lost her mother to cancer.  Although I never met Marti, I know she was a wonderful woman from the cards and emails we exchanged - not to mention the extraordinary daughter she raised and granddaughter, Carrie, she influenced.  I was touched beyond words when Marti, then already in pain and reaching the end of her life, took time to send me a long note offering comfort after Paul was diagnosed with cancer.  Marti, you will be missed. This one's for you:
Gone from Sight 
by Henry Van Dyke

I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. 
She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.
Then someone at my side says: “There, she is gone!”
“Gone Where?”
Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port.
Her diminished size is in me, not in her. 
And just at the moment when someone at my side says: “There, she is gone!” there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout: “Here she comes!”
And that is dying.

29 comments:

Amy said...

Mel emailed me this morning because I had not heard this dreadful news.
Your words are beautiful today Rinda, just perfect, and a lovely way to remember Marti and our friends who love her dearly, and who will miss her dreadfully.

Ginger said...

I feel sick reading your post Rinda. Thank you for the update and your beautiful post.

Kokopelli said...

How sad and what a beautiful remembrance post! I wish you all the strength there is to overcome this terrible loss.

Anonymous said...

A beautiful post. You may not have med Marti in real life but your friendship has obviously reached out across the distance and made a difference.

Mary B said...

Those are really beautiful words and a great tribute to a lost friend.

Jimjams said...

Wonderful and wise words Rinda.

humel said...

This is beautiful, Rinda. xx

debs14 said...

Absolutely beautiful.

furrypig said...

beautifully written Rinda, I think Marti touched many lives including mine xxx

scrappyjacky said...

A beautiful tribute,Rinda.

Becky said...

Beautiful words and a wonderful tribute to a wonderful lady.

Denise said...

Beautiful x

Karen said...

This is beautiful. I just read about Marti's passing on Sian's blog this morning, and am holding Deb and her family close to my heart.

Abi said...

Beautiful. I was so upset to read of Marti's passing. xxxx

Sian said...

A lovely post. So nicely done.

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful post Rinda at this sad time.

JO SOWERBY said...

what a lovely piece of prose Rinda. I am so glad u shared that friendship. I too feel her loss. I've got my teal candle to light tonight in her memory.
JO xxx

Irene said...

I'm truly saddened by this news. My prayers go out to Deb and Carrie. May she rest in Peace. (Lovely post Rinda)

Elizabeth said...

Beautiful words that just seem to say what everyone is feeling.

Missus Wookie said...

Oh thank you for that update and sharing that poem it is one of my favourites. So sorry hear that news.

Miriam said...

This is such a beautiful post Rinda.

ComfyMom~Stacey said...

such a very lovely post

Alison said...

Sharing everyone's sadness Rinda...and you have chosen one of my favourite pieces about death
Alison xx

alexa said...

A wonderful piece of writing and word picture which you have shared with us today, Rinda - I was so sad to learn of Marti's death, and hope this brings great comfort to Deb and her family ...

Beverly said...

A beautiful and moving post, Rinda. I am saddened at Marti's passing but happy that she is no longer suffering and is in God's presence. I am behind on my blog reading, I hope Paul is doing well.

Fiona@staring at the sea said...

I was so sad to read about Marti's passing on Sian's blog yesterday. Your post is beautiful, a wonderful tribute.

Flora said...

This is truly beautiful!

GlorV1 said...

It is always so sad when someone we love and know leaves this earth. My condolences. Such a beautiful tribute Rinda. ::hugs to you and to your friend::

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

My dear Rinda ~ Thank you so much for this lovely post! I read it shortly after you posted it, then re-opened it to read to my siblings and step-dad as we were planning my mom's services. My mom always appreciated your beautiful cards and lovely words of encouragement. I'm so glad to know that you were touched by her friendship as well, and so happy to have had you as part of Team Teal. xo