Hard it is to lose a friend…
With Right of Survivorship
Hard it is to lose a friend
whose dying could foretell my end
and hard it is to pick up strands
of living, when those other hands
are stilled which often soothed my brow
and gave me courage up to now
There is no way to understand
why she is gone–and I am here
Farewell
we will embrace
again some day
part of my soul
goes with you
and part of yours
will stay
Excerpted from Fine Black Lines: Reflections on Facing Cancer, Fear and Loneliness, copyright 1993, 2003 by Lois Tschetter Hjelmstad
Image Credit: http://when-souls-unite.deviantart.com
Beautiful x
part of my soul
goes with you
and part of yours
will stay
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Such beautiful words for anyone of us who have lost a loved one
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This morning I was checking out blogs at breastcancerblogs.org. Several of them had an obituary as the last entry. It is a wake up call for those of us battling this disease. The fact that so many of our community have blogged to the end is also a testiment to our courage and strength!
On another topic, Marie, I am adding a new feature to my blog: every Wednesday I will host a guest blogger. It does not have to necessarily be about the PERKS of having cancer, but I like to have “up lifting” posts. I would love to have you guest blog for me. If you are interested, you can contact me at my email: edpsychologist@hotmail.com
Cancer Warrior
http://www.perksofcancer.com
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This is perfect, Marie. Thank you.
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“whose dying could foretell my end” is really sticking with me right now. While this certainly applies to everyone, to us cancerchicks it is especially poignant and reminds me to live out loud each and every day. Many thanks, Marie, for your spot-on ability to put the right words in front of us just when we need them most.
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Yes, that line pulled me up sharp too Nancy – but it’s something us cancer chicks sure can’t deny..
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yes. thank you.
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You’re so welcome Laurie – thanks for dropping by x
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Marie,
Great poem for the current circumstances, especially. Interestingly, when I was first diagnosed with breast cancer, I went to a support group, which had this poet as a guest speaker, and she signed her Fine Black Lines for me. It meant the world to me, and her poems are unbelievable.
Thank you!
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Oh I love that story Beth – how wonderful!
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Thank you, Marie, for posting my two poems for my best friend, Ann. If anyone wants more info, go to http://www.facingbreastcancer.com.
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Thank you Lois – it is just perfect for our grieving community right now
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I’m speechless, Marie. Such a choice of words in verse, too beautiful to describe, just as Rachel was/is. Tearfully yours, xoxo
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and hard it is to pick up strands
of living, when those other hands
are stilled which often soothed my brow
and gave me courage up to now
Sobbing reading these lines and thinking of my mother who died last year and who I miss so very much
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Marie, I was grateful to be able to go to Rach’s memorial service & to speak at it as well yesterday, and that’s exactly how we all felt there. It was a beautiful occasion. She was greatly valued & greatly loved by all the people in her many overlapping circles of family & friends. And the service only enlarged that for us all.
Perfect sentiments, perfect poem. Rach was always in my heart, every day, and she will definitely always continue there.
xoxo, Kathi
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Beautiful, Marie and just right. Thank you for always seeking out just the right words.
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This is beautiful, Marie. Thank you.
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