Death is nothing at all...
Death is nothing at all,
I have only slipped away into the next room.
I am I, and you are you.
Whatever we were to each other, that we still are.
Call me by my old familiar name, speak to me
In the easy way that you always used.
Put no difference in your tone,
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.
Laugh as we always laughed
At the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word
That it always was.
Let it be spoken without effect,
Without the trace of shadow on it.
Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same as it ever was;
There is unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind
Because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you, for an interval,
Somewhere very near,
Just around the corner.
All is well.
My Grandad died this week. I am trying so very hard to remember that all is well but my heart hurts.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
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I'm sorry to hear about the departure of your grandfather. Want to give you a hug.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry; my grandfather died in July 1970 and I still miss him. I seem to mention his name (Big Daddy, I called him) at least once a week. I hope your memories give you comfort, as mine do.
ReplyDeleteAw lovely Peony, what sad,sad news for you to share with us.I send you strength and heartfelt hand squeezing.Take care of yourself,petal.
ReplyDeleteThat next room is close by, I'm sure.
hugs
ReplyDeleteSo very sorry to hear about your grandfather Peony. My bestfriends/housemates' grandmother died this week and it's an awful time. All my love to your family. x
ReplyDeleteso sorry to hear about your grandad....i hope you have lots of memories to cherish of happy times spent together
ReplyDeletetake care xx
i'm so sorry for your loss. hugs for you.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry, babe. May he rest, gorgeous and whole.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry peonies. My grandfather passed a few years ago and I miss him like crazy. You're in my thoughts...
ReplyDeletethere is a little empty space in my heart since my own grandpa died - and that was 16 years ago. I find comfort in old photos- and memories of time spent with him. My thoughts are with you now.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear that. How awful.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear that. My grandad died a coupe of years ago and it's aways a hard thing to come to terms with no matter how old/ill they are. You'll always have your memories :)
ReplyDeleteOh, Peonies. I am sorry to hear of your loss. My Grandfather died in February, so I know what you are going through. It's so tough. :(
ReplyDeleteI'm so very sorry to hear about your loss. I send you and your family warmest thoughts.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry for your loss. Sending thoughts and prayers your way. xoxo.
ReplyDeleteI am so very sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you...
ReplyDeleteI am very sorry to hear of your loss. May your grandfather rest peacefully in the deepest slumber and may you find comfort in your warm memories of him. xoxo
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry! My thoughts are with you.
ReplyDeleteOh you poor girl. Lots of love and eHugs.
ReplyDeleteHugs across the pond to you.
ReplyDeletexxxxxxxxxxxxxx
ReplyDeleteI'm so very sorry to hear that. Hugs from New York.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear about your loss. My grandfather died just a couple of years ago, so I understand your hurt very well. My prayers are with you.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear your awful news. There are no words that are going to make it any less painful. I hope you have many happy, lovely memories to cherish.
ReplyDeleteMy grandpa used to tell me that when you got an unexpected shiver it was because your guardian angel had brushed your soul.
ReplyDeleteNow I get unexpected shivers all of the time - and they make me smile.
Thinking of you Peonies. x
ReplyDelete*hug*.
ReplyDeleteThis poem is so lovely, Peony.
ReplyDeleteBig love to you.
I'm so sorry.
ReplyDeleteI'm so so sorry to hear that. A great big hug from me to you.
ReplyDeleteMy deepest sympathies Peonies. There are no words.
ReplyDeleteConsolation
ReplyDeleteBY ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON
Though he, that ever kind and true,
Kept stoutly step by step with you,
Your whole long, gusty lifetime through,
Be gone a while before,
Be now a moment gone before,
Yet, doubt not, soon the seasons shall restore
Your friend to you.
He has but turned the corner — still
He pushes on with right good will,
Through mire and marsh, by heugh and hill,
That self-same arduous way —
That self-same upland, hopeful way,
That you and he through many a doubtful day
Attempted still.
He is not dead, this friend — not dead,
But in the path we mortals tread
Got some few, trifling steps ahead
And nearer to the end;
So that you too, once past the bend,
Shall meet again, as face to face, this friend
You fancy dead.
Push gaily on, strong heart! The while
You travel forward mile by mile,
He loiters with a backward smile
Till you can overtake,
And strains his eyes to search his wake,
Or whistling, as he sees you through the brake,
Waits on a stile.
I am very sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteSuch a perfect picture and beautiful poem.
ReplyDeleteMy best to you, sweetie.
I am using this poem in my wedding as a memorial to my grandpa that died last year.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry. My heart goes out to you and your loved ones.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the poem. made me think of my loved ones who are gone as well, and brought a strange sense of comfort.
I'm very sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeletei'm so sorry for your loss...
ReplyDeletemy favorite grandma died on easter a few years back, so i always think of her around this time...
sending you lots of love & hugs...
xox
My heart hurts for you Peonies. Big hugs to you and your family, Sweet Girl.
ReplyDeleteSo Sorry to hear!!!
ReplyDeleteYou have been given a Kreativ Blog award by me, see my link for more details...
http://www.kimgray.za.net/2009/04/13/kreative-blogger-award/
I hope this may keep you busy and your mind on happy memories x
so sorry to hear about your loss - thinking of you!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear about your grandfather :( My dad passed away when I was in high school and I still think about him everyday. It gets easier with time. I'm thinking of you.
ReplyDelete"Perhaps they are not the stars in the sky, but rather openings where our loved ones shine down to let us know they are happy."
I'm so sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeletemy thoughts are with you. what beautiful words you shared.
ReplyDeleteSending you hugs hugs hugs hugs hugs hugs hugs.So sorry to read about your Granda I really am.I hope you are as ok as can be. If there is anything I can do to help. I'm thinking of you.Lots and lots and lots of lovexxxxx
ReplyDeleteKittyxxxxxxxxx
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear about your grandfather. You and your family are in my prayers
ReplyDeleteoh i'm so, so sorry. he must have adored you. joannaxo
ReplyDeletegoogle reader just recommended you and this was the first thing I read. Absolutely beautiful. I'm so sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteI send you strength....and love....and wishes of wonderful things to come....grandpa approved!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry for the sorrow you feel Peonies. Cherish the memories and know you're getting a whole lot of love from out here in the blogosphere. Nothing but time can make this feel better. x
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear the news. I've found looking through old albums + photos to be comforting during tough times.
ReplyDeleteI'm very sorry for your loss :-(.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful poem, and so true...
I'm so sorry about your grandfather - hope you are feeling as well as possible.
ReplyDeleteDear Peonies, I am so very very sorry for your sad loss. My darling sister was killed in a car accident just 4 weeks ago, and the pain is indescribable. I hope your Boy is proving to be great support (as my own Boy was, and is) and that you feel a little better each day. Emma
ReplyDeleteI don't normally comment, but I was very sorry to read about your grandfather's passing. Beautiful poem and picture; I appreciate how hard it is to not be sad and I hope that your regret will lead you to happier thoughts of the wonderful things that he brought to your life.
ReplyDeletedear peony,
ReplyDeletelast monday was the last day for my grandma- i feel numb- i had found your blog researching for my wedding coming fall- now it feels wrong trying on wedding dresses etc. x cat_greece
Funeral Blues
ReplyDeleteStop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.
Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message He is Dead.
Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.
He was my North, my South, my East and West,
My working week and my Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
I thought that love would last forever: I was wrong.
The stars are not wanted now; put out every one,
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun,
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the woods;
For nothing now can ever come to any good.
W.H. Auden
I'm so sorry for your loss Peony. My Mom died 10 years ago and the ache truly never goes away.
I am so sorry to hear this, dear Peony. I hope you can find comfort in your memories of him. That is what I have been doing for years, since my own grandfather, whom I loved so very much, passed away. *hugs*
ReplyDelete