Last week, the above Bible verse, became a reality. Birth and death occurred in the same period. I felt I was at a crossroads in life. The circle of life was happening in both a sad and joyful manner. You can read more about this here.
In reference to death, my family paid tribute to my 94-year-old Uncle in a Central New York town, Rome, New York. A spirit of peace filtered through the church as I walked in. The church was as I recalled it from my childhood days when I attended Mass with my Nonnie. A few new pieces beautified the inside and outside of the building. A magnificent life-size Pieta, 1 of 100 created, was installed as a shrine in the back of the church. It reminded me that the passing of life can be a beautiful spiritual event.
It was touching to read my daughter's Facebook post about the birth of her third little girl and the passing of her great uncle, "It seems fateful that with her birth, as one angel comes to this earth, another one leaves it." The circle of life came full forward. The journey on earth is starting for our newborn, Lila Joy, while my uncle begins his journey in heaven. One of the caregivers at Francis House, the hospice setting, told my sister about a ritual they practice. When a resident expires, a window is opened so the spirit can move to a new home. She also said that my Uncle Johnny would be Lila's special angel. Each person, newborn and elder, embark on a spiritual journey comprised of many layers.
.I now turn my thoughts to Spiritual Journey Thursday. On the first Thursday of each month, the Spiritual Journey Thursday community meets to discuss a topic chosen by the host. This month, Dave at Leap of Dave is our host. Dave posed some questions about our spiritual journey for us to ponder. The nature photography digital graphic that I created shares part of a duck family I came upon in Central New York after the funeral. Family is important on our walk as is nature. It is a vital part of creation and every matter unto heaven.
I look forward to reading both Spiritual Journey Thursday and Poetry Friday writers' blog posts. Before I say goodbye, I would like to add a couple more digital inspirations/image poems that I worked on this week.
Carol, the love of family and faith is quietly strong in this post. The juxtaposition of death and life is similar to my daughter and my mother, who share a birthday. My mother was diagnosed with ALS within a year of her granddaughter's birth, and she died eighteen months after that. My preschool daughter mentioned several times that Grandma Ann visited her--and I have no doubt that she did.
ReplyDeleteChris, I also see my mother and Nonnie at times in my dreams. It is a wonderful opportunity to be close to those I love. Thanks for visiting and mentioning a similar situation.The cycle of life is a part of our spiritual journey that we have in common. My newborn granddaughter's middle name is a blend of my uncle's and sister's. My daughter this specifically to keep family close to their hearts. My second grandgirl's middle name is her great-grandpa's name and the oldest one has my mother's name as her middle name.
DeleteI just came from Irene's blog, where she recommended a book called Bittersweet, and your post really resonates with hers and with me. I think that awareness of loss and life, joy and pain, starting and ending--I think all of that awareness makes us look and think more closely about our loved ones and our world. On a lighter note, I love the heron/egret creation!
ReplyDeleteI am hoping that you are feeling better this week. Thanks for joining me.The awareness of loss and life, joy and pain, starting and ending is something I shall ponder today, Laura.
DeleteThank you for this thoughtful and heartfelt post about your recent joys and sorrows. Comings and goings, the old and the new: in our family we noted that when someone became pregnant, it was a sign that another family member would be leaving the terrestrial realm. It proved true many times. Condolences on the loss of your uncle and congrats on your new granddaughter.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks, Jama, for your heartfelt thoughts. I never heard the saying, "when someone became pregnant, it was a sign that another family member would be leaving the terrestrial realm." i am going to become more aware of this.
DeleteWhat blessings you have described, Carol, a 'hello' and a 'goodbye' in your family, each part keeps everyone nurtured and close. And I, too, love the 'slowdown tiptoe dance' and the haiku of passing the flag. I am the caretaker of my step-father's flag, special remembrance of his service, like your uncle.
ReplyDeleteWelcome, Lila Joy! The circle of life is hitting us hard these days as we face aging parents. But the joy of grandchildren keep us moving forward and seeing hope in the future.
ReplyDeleteCarol, life is a circle as you so aptly describe. I really like the idea of opening a window so a soul can leave on its new journey. I feel that the binding element in this circle is love...love for the soul departing and love for the new soul just beginning it's journey. I am sorry for your loss and celebrate your joy at the new gift that entered your life.
ReplyDeleteOh, Carol - you've reminded us of the beauty and mysteries at both ends of our life journeys. Your uncle sounds like a wonderful human, and I'm sure he appreciated your long-distance connecting in his last days. Lila Joy - couldn't be a more perfect name for a precious new family member. Prayers all around for you and yours.
ReplyDeleteOh, my goodness...I have made that journey to Central New York many times...for births and for deaths. The Shenandoah River seems to know what I'm about in each direction. I love those last few steep hills of PA when I know I'm getting close to home. Joy for you Carol and sorrow too. I will hold your name in peace today.
ReplyDeleteLinda, holding my name in peace is such a loving response to my blog post. Thank you.
DeleteI'm so sorry for your loss. I posted the draft you shared on Twitter for the flag poem, but you want to share this poignant version instead, I'll delete the earlier one.
ReplyDeleteCarol, I can feel your deep sense of calm amidst the sadness and the joy of life's journey -- that "peaceful prance" of the heron. May your uncle's memory always be a blessing for you and your family, especially Lila Joy.
ReplyDeleteGot in on my 3rd try! Carol, there is so much to love in this post. From the heron's peaceful prance to the passing of a veteran, from the parting of one soul and another soul's arrival (with her own special angel), What a blessing to return to a church you attended as a child to reflect on your journey of faith with family. It's a rich blessing! Thanks for sharing your recent sad and joyful journey with us.
ReplyDeleteA welcome to Lila Joy and a heartfelt farewell to your Uncle Johnny, Carol. A bittersweet moment, for sure. Life is indeed a journey of faith with family.
ReplyDeleteYour veteran haiku is beautiful.
Joy and sorrow, life and death. To experience it all at once is a treasured reminder of ALL of the journey of life. Blessings to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteCarol, this is a beautiful post. I am sorry for your loss, but love your poignant observations.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Carol, for sharing your sorrow and joy as well as poetry. I'm reminded of the Celtic idea of "thin places" where the distance between heaven and earth collapses. Perhaps your uncle and your new granddaughter found the same thin place. I seem to notice that within families. My heart goes out to you... for your grief and for your joy!
ReplyDeleteYou reminded me of the first time I learned about the Pieta, when I saw Michelangelo's at the World's Fair in the sixties. Breathtaking! I appreciate your comments and lovely poem about family as my son is about to get married and our small family is growing. Thanks, Carol!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Laura about the Bittersweet connections. Thank you for this lovely and touching post, Carol.
ReplyDelete