Oh, Janice...dear hearts. Such losses have come in with the spring tides. It's impossible to not notice how the frequency of the goodbyes increase when we reach a certain point in life, even though intellectually we knew it was happening all along. Last week I was peripherally aware of 3 or 4 people who left suddenly, unexpectedly, and "too young." I also wished happy birthday to my former boss. This past December, he had a horribly close call with a fire and was severely burned but will make a complete recovery, physically at least. His reply to my wishes: "It's good to be alive!" Indeed it is.
This was a tender and beautifully crafted piece to mark the transition of one chapter to the next. I, too, want to believe they’re watching us from some other incarnation.
Janice - wow - I've lost a number of friends starting in my forties with ever increasing frequency. Each friend lost, is a vacuum that will never be filled, yet each also filled a portion in my life that has made me the person I am. Beautiful article - so well said.
I would have to say that this comment is equally well said, Winston. The vacuum analogy is perfect, as those are places that no one else can ever, will ever, fill. I had such an experience in the Bahamas; we arrived to sail our friend back to Florida and spent the first night at Lighthouse Marina on Elbow Cay, Hope Town, Abaco. I got up for sunrise prior to our departure as I always do and there was a Bahamian playing the song "I TRUST IN GOD" are you familiar? My little tiny church on Tilghman Island belts it out and is where I first heard it. Life and humanity certainly do resonate, and we had a guiding hand on that passage, I assure you of that. Hope all is well and Larry continues to improve. ~J
Oh, Ruth, this comment is amazing and you know it's why we writers do what we do. And of course we can't stop these words....they do just flow some days...
My heart is warmed even more, I imagine, that you would chime in with such praise. It brought me HUGE JOY!! You honor me. J
"Each unique individual, rich or poor, conservative or liberal, well-read or work-hardened, taught, learned, gave, took, hurt, nurtured, and were valuable enough to spend precious time getting to know, understand, and appreciate regardless of differences, idiosyncrasies and ironies. Add those fine folks to the strong main characters of a small family and a transient life, and my periphery is a diverse treasure." Beautifully said Janice Anne, and well understood.
Thank you, Janice Anne. You warmed my heart this morning. I commend you for "being there" for who knows how many ready your writings... writings that are blessings. Here's to joy! Thank you.
You're welcome. We should toss it back and forth occasionally in case one of us goes astray....live every moment. IMO youre doing very well in that respect Egor. J
Lovely & thoughtful words Janice. It’s a difficult transition to be entering a new life phase that teaches us valuable lessons about loss & unexpected grief. In time, I hope we can realize how grateful we should be that we chose to allow good people to enter our lives…even if it was just for a fleeting moment. This keeps their presence with us.
It can be quite a balance, can't it? To move on and still retain what we should? When the unexpected happens it can really toss us off our game. Some of my favorite periphery members are those I knew for just a day or two! I hope I can always recognize such character. So grateful you shared these notes, they are clearly the voice of experience. Thank you. J
For me, it rang a soft carillon as I attended a memorial for a man whom I wish I'd known so much longer - he and his husband of 40 years. I only knew them for perhaps 10.
It does! Remarkably. And I hope I'm always paying enough attention to become a better human with each twang of the heart. He must have been remarkable to strike you as someone you wanted to know LONGER. What a tremendous compliment that us! What a great epitaph....if only we had known them longer. The wonderful grateful part is that I am still connecting with humans who both teach and empathize. Have a wonderful week Down Under, Miss Prue. I got to swim last week...story forthcoming...the water was 29c...
It is our individuality that makes us all so interesting! When cruising we generally hunt for dinner so it's nice to have it over 74 or I can only do about fifteen minutes. My blood is thin!! xx ~J
AN AUTHOR'S EPILOGUE--I was a wanderer. I packed a few chosen essentials and headed to the farthest place I could imagine. I wasn’t welcome back, anyway, and never would be. The chapter was closed. That decision gave me the privilege to meet people I never would have met and do things I never would have done, trusting that it would all be fine, that I’d end up safe, forging a new path. And I was. ~J
Oh, Janice...dear hearts. Such losses have come in with the spring tides. It's impossible to not notice how the frequency of the goodbyes increase when we reach a certain point in life, even though intellectually we knew it was happening all along. Last week I was peripherally aware of 3 or 4 people who left suddenly, unexpectedly, and "too young." I also wished happy birthday to my former boss. This past December, he had a horribly close call with a fire and was severely burned but will make a complete recovery, physically at least. His reply to my wishes: "It's good to be alive!" Indeed it is.
This was a tender and beautifully crafted piece to mark the transition of one chapter to the next. I, too, want to believe they’re watching us from some other incarnation.
Janice - wow - I've lost a number of friends starting in my forties with ever increasing frequency. Each friend lost, is a vacuum that will never be filled, yet each also filled a portion in my life that has made me the person I am. Beautiful article - so well said.
I would have to say that this comment is equally well said, Winston. The vacuum analogy is perfect, as those are places that no one else can ever, will ever, fill. I had such an experience in the Bahamas; we arrived to sail our friend back to Florida and spent the first night at Lighthouse Marina on Elbow Cay, Hope Town, Abaco. I got up for sunrise prior to our departure as I always do and there was a Bahamian playing the song "I TRUST IN GOD" are you familiar? My little tiny church on Tilghman Island belts it out and is where I first heard it. Life and humanity certainly do resonate, and we had a guiding hand on that passage, I assure you of that. Hope all is well and Larry continues to improve. ~J
Oh, Ruth, this comment is amazing and you know it's why we writers do what we do. And of course we can't stop these words....they do just flow some days...
My heart is warmed even more, I imagine, that you would chime in with such praise. It brought me HUGE JOY!! You honor me. J
"Each unique individual, rich or poor, conservative or liberal, well-read or work-hardened, taught, learned, gave, took, hurt, nurtured, and were valuable enough to spend precious time getting to know, understand, and appreciate regardless of differences, idiosyncrasies and ironies. Add those fine folks to the strong main characters of a small family and a transient life, and my periphery is a diverse treasure." Beautifully said Janice Anne, and well understood.
There is nothing better as a writer than when our words resonate. So much appreciate you, Jeanine.
So very true, Janice Anne. And thank you.
Forgive my typo,Janice Anne.
Always always. When I make those I just say that my mind goes much faster than these chunky arthritic fingers can keep up with!
Thank you, Janice Anne. You warmed my heart this morning. I commend you for "being there" for who knows how many ready your writings... writings that are blessings. Here's to joy! Thank you.
I appreciate your words this morning, and our friendship Janice. Thank you.
Don’t wait for a future that may never come, a friend also told me and changed our life. Thank you a beautiful reminder, Janice.
You're welcome. We should toss it back and forth occasionally in case one of us goes astray....live every moment. IMO youre doing very well in that respect Egor. J
Lovely & thoughtful words Janice. It’s a difficult transition to be entering a new life phase that teaches us valuable lessons about loss & unexpected grief. In time, I hope we can realize how grateful we should be that we chose to allow good people to enter our lives…even if it was just for a fleeting moment. This keeps their presence with us.
It can be quite a balance, can't it? To move on and still retain what we should? When the unexpected happens it can really toss us off our game. Some of my favorite periphery members are those I knew for just a day or two! I hope I can always recognize such character. So grateful you shared these notes, they are clearly the voice of experience. Thank you. J
What a poignant and beautiful post.
For me, it rang a soft carillon as I attended a memorial for a man whom I wish I'd known so much longer - he and his husband of 40 years. I only knew them for perhaps 10.
Every day teaches us so many lessons, doesn't it?
It does! Remarkably. And I hope I'm always paying enough attention to become a better human with each twang of the heart. He must have been remarkable to strike you as someone you wanted to know LONGER. What a tremendous compliment that us! What a great epitaph....if only we had known them longer. The wonderful grateful part is that I am still connecting with humans who both teach and empathize. Have a wonderful week Down Under, Miss Prue. I got to swim last week...story forthcoming...the water was 29c...
Wow. J
29? 29!!!!!!
Been a while since you felt that??!!
Ever felt that, Prue??!! 😆 🤣 😂
Yes, in a friend's swimming pool and TBH, hated it. There's no refreshing feeling, no endorphins. Not for me, anyway...
It is our individuality that makes us all so interesting! When cruising we generally hunt for dinner so it's nice to have it over 74 or I can only do about fifteen minutes. My blood is thin!! xx ~J
AN AUTHOR'S EPILOGUE--I was a wanderer. I packed a few chosen essentials and headed to the farthest place I could imagine. I wasn’t welcome back, anyway, and never would be. The chapter was closed. That decision gave me the privilege to meet people I never would have met and do things I never would have done, trusting that it would all be fine, that I’d end up safe, forging a new path. And I was. ~J