Dear Jim, Randy and Linda:
I'm so so sorry to hear of Irene's passing,..you all have my deepest condolences on the recent loss of your Mom.
She was such a good person to me, as I think she was to all friends of Jim's. We likely don't have to think too hard before remembering just some of the many tales she told us over the years, her amazing cooking abilities, and of course her great strength of character. The video to her was such a fitting tribute, and captured her full essence; so I can assume Jim created it by using his own artistic talents when blending the photos and music.
I am not that gifted, but here is a poem written by someone long long ago that I hope can bring you some solace:
"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,
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 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...there is no death.
Death comes in its own time, in its own way.
Death is as unique as the individual experiencing it.
With Peace and Love,
Scott
