Sunday, October 25, 2015

Celebrations Sweet and Bittersweet


              I celebrate each Saturday with Ruth Ayres at Discover Play Build and the rest of the wonderful community that celebrates together. Come join us!          Tweet at #CelebrateLu


              Having visitors again is always something to celebrate. This week filled with visitors I was happy to have, from a former student and her husband in town at the Tattered Cover for their book launch of Find Me Unafraid to my son, daughter-in-law and grandson in Thursday to celebrate my birthday and a special family ceremony. I celebrate also the two rainy days we had, what a lovely blessing for our dry, dry earth.  Pictures show some of the joy, and you can imagine the in-between.
Jessica and Kennedy Odede at The Tattered Cover.


At The Kitchen--in our renovated Union Station all
together Saturday night before parting again.



          After two years since my husband, Arvie's, passing, we felt it was time to place his ashes in a more permanent place. This is a nearby beautiful cemetery, in a special niche. Now we will all have a place to visit, to remember good times. Just our family was here Friday morning, and we shared fun memories, still missing Arvie's zest for living, something we hope to carry with us always. I shared a favorite poem of Arvie's which you can find here, the third poem down: The Long Boat, by Stanley Kunitz. 




18 comments:

  1. Sweet and bittersweet - the joy and sadness mixed, new memories built and old ones relighted. I am glad you are here today, sharing your celebraitons with us.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Terje. You've described the time well, and I'm happy we all celebrated together.

      Delete
  2. A lovely time of remembrance. I think Arvie's spirit was with you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Jane. It seemed to be, & was lovely.

      Delete
  3. What a beautiful place for you to visit and find peace. Your special way of being inspires me so much. I hope you know this!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We hope it will be a good place for us. It is beautiful there. Thank you Margaret, for the warm response. Someday we really will need to meet!

      Delete
  4. It seems you all have some wonderful memories of Arvie. I'm glad you had such a special place to go and remember.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Crystal, we do, and it will be a good place to go.

      Delete
  5. I really liked that poem. Such a haunting image.
    BTW: Have we discussed the fact that my birthday is tomorrow? We probably have, and I've just forgotten. Happy birthday to you! And I'm so happy that your family could all get together. We had our get-together with family for gluten free cake today.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Happy Birthday & thanks, Donna. It's a great month for a birthday. Mine was actually on the 12th, but Nathan, Barb & Carter couldn't come that weekend when my brother & family did. It was wonderful that we were all together for Arvie's special time.

      Delete
  6. Love the family pics! So glad you found a special place of remembrance with that wonderful quote, "Celebrating lives well lived." I'm fond of visiting resting places for loved ones. I can wander for hours in Oakhill, the cemetery in my hometown.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This is a huge and beautiful place, Ramona. I used to take my students here to write and to study the old tombstones for history discoveries. We are happy about this and love wandering too. Thank you.

      Delete
  7. "Peace! Peace!/To be rocked by the Infinite!"
    I'm glad you shared a special poem during your remembrance. Hugs to you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Tabatha. Arvie loved that poem and shared it with others who had lost a loved one.

      Delete
  8. Ahh! I love the pictures! I really enjoyed your thoughtful review of The Hired Girl. Lately, I've been critically analyzing the way gender is portrayed in books, so I will be sure to read this one. It seems it made you think a lot, and I suspect I will find it to be just as thought-provoking. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  9. May the spirit of Avi who loved the earth live on in your hearts and memories. Such a touching post, Linda, and a beautiful place to rest in all the memories.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your blessing, Carol. We are all happy about this choice.

      Delete

Thanks for visiting!