As I wrote in the last post, one of the most important lessons I learned while living through 2003 with Robin, was to give up trying to control the inevitable changes of life. For those of you who have been faithfully checking in and waiting for the next post, thank you. I have not gotten back to my usual goal of posting approximately weekly, because life has gotten in the way.
After several months of ups and downs my mother-in-law, whose nickname was Peaches, died peacefully with my husband and I with her, on August 4th. At some point I will be writing about the whole process of caring for Peaches in our home for eleven years, then transitioning her to a nursing home, and then witnessing her amazing journey through the last few months of her life. It may become another blog, or it may become another book. Time will tell.
I appreciate the loyalty of our readers and trust that you will be patient as I get through the memorial service for Peaches this weekend, and then return to some semblance of a routine while grieving the enormous loss I have experienced. Writing is what I do, so I will be back to blogging and telling our story soon. Robin is working on her next posts too, and there will be much more from her in Part Two of our book. Stay tuned….
This is a poem I wrote for anyone who has lost a beloved one…I know how it feels and I “sit beside you” in your grieving…Take care.
A loyal reader.
WHEN I LOSE YOU
When I lose you
will you remember the leaves
of my brown name?
Not like an oak, which clings
snow after snow
but like the poplar
spilling her yellow dress
to the insistent fingertips of fall.
The mother of grief
is a kind forgetting
and I tell you now
that I will forget everything
I will forget even you, beloved.
Remembering light
like a leaf stilled in limestone
who would have thought
we could weigh so little?
Pamela Spiro Wagner 11/8/2010
Pam–Thank you so much for your kind words and for sharing this beautiful poem. I appreciate you, so much.
Take as much time as you need to grieve and recover. Surely, all of your readers will understand and even feel closer to you as they realize that all people, even psychologists and authors, have catastrophic life events and need time off for their families.
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Thank you, Susan, for all of your support. You are a true friend.
I am so sorry. That kind of loss is hard – I wish you all much peace 🙂
Thank you, so much for your kind words. I’m doing okay…will be back soon.