What is life without a loving family?
Ever since I was a child, I felt the closeness of family even during challenging times. This year, during springtime, sorrow and loss unexpectedly interrupted our family life when my husband Richard fell prey to an incurable, silent disease. Cancer swept across his body as quickly as mighty waves moving across the ocean. My family withstood the rush of anguish and a heart-rending situation, yet we prepared for a family trip to the Atlantic Ocean in Cape May, New Jersey, and the south shore of Long Island, NY, to honor my husband's life.
As we drove to the ocean sites, I followed the inspiration of Albert Einstein. "Rejoice with your family in the beautiful land of life". We felt the glow of sunshine streaming down on us as wind-driven waves rushed in with diamond-sparkling effects and quickly returned seaward. The first seaside landing in Cape Map allowed our extended family to enjoy the children frolicking in the water, the delicious seafood, and creamery ice cream delights. We lived life as a summer vacation should be, and yet we remembered that one member of the group was missing.
As our immediate family traveled north to Long Island, we eagerly prepared for the Celebration of Life ceremony at Jones Beach's Field 6. The beach was quiet. As we moved closer to the ocean, we watched the constant flow and backrush of ocean waves. The ebb and flow of the tides brought peace to the ceremony. Readers' words flowed across the sea. My mind floated like the waves, not about sorrowful days but to present moments. The seagulls flew across the South Shore beach, squawking in tune with the crash of the waves. The magnificent ocean at Jones Beach, Long Island, NY, offered a private place to honor a man with whom I spent close to 49 years of marriage. I was present, my mind was cleared of daily busyness, and I seemed to float with the rhythm of the tides as I looked across the horizon.
but one to celebrate life
peaceful souls connect
©CV, July 31, 2025
I now think of that day at the majestic ocean. We brought the immediate family together and linked our souls with Richard's. There was a powerful release of tension, loneliness, and grief. "Ocean separates lands, not souls". (Munia Khan)
" Say not in grief ' he is no more' but in thanfulness that he was."
Hebrew Proverb
For me, without family, life spins in an unsettled world.
I am thankful for my family, their love, and support,
and the tiny heart shell that was my heaven-sent sign at the shore.
Today is Spiritual Journey Thursday (SJT). Leigh Anne Eck is our host today. She chose the prompt, family, for each writer to ponder. This is a powerful prompt for me. Please visit her blog post
here to enjoy the blog posts on "family". Leigh Anne is sharing about her Mother, who recently passed away. My thoughts and prayers go out to her and her family.
I am also sending this blog post to Molly Hogan at Nix the Comfort Zone. I have missed the last two Poetry Friday Roundups because we were enjoying 9 days of celebrating my husband's life. Now, I am ready to settle down and find a respite through reading both SJT and Poetry Friday blog posts from two different writing communities. I already read Holly's post that provided a look into nature and the word pause.
I'm glad you were able to have this time of peaceful closure with your family.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mary Lee, for your comment. Peace has been a gift for my family.
DeleteOh, Carol, I am so sorry for your loss. I’m glad you have the support and comfort of family to remember the joy in times like this.
ReplyDeleteTracey, our 9-day trip to the NJ and NY shores were memberable. We found joy as we visited various spots Richard loved. Thanks for your comment.
DeleteCarol, what a gift you've given yourself and your family with your beautiful words about this special time. I know it's a difficult time for all of you. I'm grateful that you were able to be in the moment as you honored Richard's life. And your beautiful, tiny heart shell will always be a token of the love you share. Hugs as you continue adapting to life without your sweetheart!.
ReplyDeleteRamona, adapting to life without "my sweet love" is still a tough way to live even after the Celebration of Life events. While the time at the ocean with family brought closure for Richard's wishes, I still wish that I was with him in reality. Life moves on and I shall lean on faith and hope in the garden of sweet memories. Thank you my friend for your thoughts and hugs.
DeleteCarol, the ebb and flow of the tides, the squawking seagulls, readers' words all came together to offer peace and comfort in a place that was dear to you and Richard. Although the grief will always be there, I sense a feeling of peace and joy within your heart because Richard will be with you reaching out his arms to comfort you just as the incoming tide caresses the shore. Have a wonderful weekend. Bob
ReplyDeleteBob, thank you for the beautiful response. Sadness and grief are still within but I am feeling the joy and peace of the ceremony lingering in my mind. While I do miss Richard, I know that releasing him from the silent disease was beneficial. Enjoy the beautiful of these cooler summer days before the high heat and humidity comes back.
DeleteCarol, what a beautiful celebration of your husband's life. Nothing really "ends" our grief, but it does seem to enter new and ongoing phases. I'm glad you took those nine days away to honor your husband and be with your family.
ReplyDeleteMy heart is with you, Carol. May your beautiful words and images help you continue to heal. And may your family continue to bring you peace and joy. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteCarol, I've thought of you often through the past months. This post is such a beautiful and heartfelt one, and so clearly shares the strength of your family and the love you all shared for your husband. What a lovely way to take time and honor him and to make lovely new family memories as you did so.
ReplyDeleteMolly, I had time during the 9 years of traveling to remember the years by both shorelines and the life we carved.
DeleteCarol, I am so sorry for your loss. I love that you have found solace in the ocean, in honoring Richard’s life, and in your loving family. I imagine the lonely days are hardest. I hope you also have some friends to lean on and connect with. As we embark on a celebration of my mother’s life, I am feeling that strong bond of family. I am feeling gratitude in addition to sadness. Thanks for your recent comment on my blog. I can’t pretend the grief I feel is anything like losing a life partner. Prayers for peace.
ReplyDeleteMargaret, loss of those we love is a strange feeling but the sharpness of the event is a reality. During our celebration, the family had time to feel peace during our ceremonies. Faith and nature intertwined to make for a lovely time away from home.
DeleteBeautiful through and through, Carol. Layered with peace and gratitude for family and for Richard's life - much like pearls are layered inside shells. I am late to this SJT gathering but I finally posted and, as always, my heart jumps with joy when I see your blog. I know that I will be strengthened by reading your words, and I am right. In your poem about the ocean, I am reminded to celebrate the transcendent nature of our souls, that still connect. Thank you for this.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you were able to celebrate his life in a place you all loved. I really loved the phrase "love rushes to shore." Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear about you and your family’s celebration. What a year you have had but so glad your family was there, and the ocean too. Thinking of you.
ReplyDeleteThanks Carol, for sharing your family ocean trip tributing your husband Richard, the journey and poetry together feel whole and heartfelt, xox.
ReplyDeleteMichelle, thank you for your comment and thoughts about my family's journey. It is so touching to have friends like you who care.
DeleteI am so glad you and your family were able to celebrate Richard's life in a place that clearly means so much to all of you. We buried my dad's ashes last week here in our mountains --family gathered in joy and bittersweet love, knowing this is exactly where he wanted to be. Blessings, dear Carol!
ReplyDeletePatricia, gathering with family while celebrating loved-one's' lives was both a significant event of closure. It felt right with an aura of quiet and peace. I am sure that your felt the same at your family. As we traveled from one ocean to the next, there was a sense of freedom felt for my husband. Blessings to you and your family. Bittersweet is the perfect word to describe the events.
DeleteCarol, what a perfect celebration of life with loved ones at the ocean, a beloved place, with people Richard loved. Beautiful poems, and finding that heart-shaped shell as "One heart gently floats across the water" is compelling and lovely. Peace to you, friend.
ReplyDelete