Patty Ann died on Schmoop's birthday. A lesser heart and mind and spirit might be floored by that cruel twist of timing but, after thinking about it, Schmoop is quoted as saying "well played Ma".
I first became aware of this poem by Victor Hugo when Craig Ferguson read it to honor the passing of his Mom.
I am standing by 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,
and I stand and watch
until at last she hangs like a peck of white cloud
just where the sun and sky come down to mingle with each other.
Then someone at my side says, 'There she goes!
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 just as able to bear her load of living freight
to the places of destination.
Her diminished size is in me, not in her.
And just at the moment when someone at my side says,
'There she goes! ' ,
there are other eyes watching her coming,
and other voices ready to take up the glad shout :
'Here she comes!'
Peaceful journey Patty Ann
23 comments:
Incredibly sweet Di. Thanks lovely one. I'll make sure Schmoop reads this. Cheers Sexy!! : )
It is very sweet, Dianne. Just thinking now every birthday will be even more special, if a bit bittersweet.
That is such a lovely sentiment and a powerful theology. I think that I'll have to keep this in a treasured place. My deepest sympathies to Schmoop and her family. Though there are those there that are saying, "Here she comes," there are people here who will miss her.
matt-man - ya know I love youse guys matty
mrs c - bittersweet indeed
cherie - I can't remember if Craig read this on the show (I think he did) or if I read that he read it at the funeral
It touched me and I immediately put it in a treasured place
hugs Cherie
Beautiful poem, lady Dianne.
"Her diminished size is in me, not in her."
Love that line.
{{{ Schmoop }}}
X
Such an awesome ode.
So touching.
Sorry for your loss Schmoop.
A beauty of a poem, Dianne. I can understand why you treasured it. I'm sorry for Schmoop's loss.
Hugo's poetry is fabulous and too often overshadowed by his books!!!
This is a lovely memorial to your friend's mom.
I used that when my mother passed 15 years ago. I also used this"
"Something has spoken to me in the night, burning the tapers of the waning year; something has spoken in the night, and told me I shall die, I know not where. Saying: "To lose the earth you know, for greater knowing; to lose the life you have for greater life; to leave the friends you loved, for greater loving; to find a land more kind than home, more large than earth- -Whereon the pillars of this earth are founded, toward which the conscience of the world is tending-a wind is rising, and the rivers flow."_-You Can't Go Home Again
My thoughts are with all of you.
It's so sad to think of losing your mother... and on the day she brought you into this life even more so.
It's a lovely poem and a warm sentiment.
Sorry to hear about your friends loss. That poem is awesome. Thanks. I have put it somewhere special too!
That is a lovely poem. I love how poems can say things that prose can't touch.
I worry about how I'll feel when my mom dies, because there are so many things between us that seem unresolvable. In some ways we're too different, and in some ways too the same. What's to be done about that? Darned if I know.
I had heard that poem and loved it the first time I read it. My thoughts and prayers are with your friend who when she celebrates her birthday...maybe she can [at some point in time] celebrate it as her mom's rebirth to the day that she got to see those loved ones on the other side. Did that make sense to you?
I hope so.
I echo your thoughts and sentiments, my dear Dianne. Safe journey to Patty Ann...
I remember when Ctaig Ferguson doing that tribute to his Mom...it was Beautiful...As was the tribute to his Dad, too....
It comforts me to feel that our loved ones are being greeted in this way as they leave us...."Here she comes" or Here he comes"....I hope this is exactly what happens!
Lovely, lovely poem; wonderful tribute to your friend's mom. I am sad to hear of her loss.
This was so sweet of you Dianne. You are a top bird as Mr. Grant would say!
That poem was amazing. This was the first time I’ve read it. I’m going to save it in my documents. I’m surprised I’ve never heard it at a funeral before.
ron - that's my favorite line as well, doesn't surprise me that we both like it
lily - it is touching, thanks
hilary - the moment I heard it I spent quite a while finding it online so I could keep it
kay - much of his work was touching and poignant
jay s - that's beautiful, thank you
3 men/lady - it is bittersweet
travis - thank you
rob - I'm glad so many people have now discovered this poem and been touched by it
sparkling - family is so damn complicated
I think if we know that we do the best we can and if we try to come from a place of love then that's OK
mare - it made sense to me, thanks :)
old old lady of the hills - I hope that's what happens to
ds - thanks
scott - I had never heard it before either before Ferguson read it
it is so lovely
thanks Scott
A very fine tribute, Dianne! Excellent poem!
What a lovely tribute.. that poem is very moving.
Lovely ..
Blogger is playing games with photos today .. one minute they are here and then they are gone ... grrrr
I visited to offer my condolences to Schmoop.
Nicely done Dianne
Condolences to Schmoop. I'm sure she'll draw comfort from the poem and your post. Good on ya'.
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