I haven’t shared the outcome of R-Squared’s journey with her mom. Her mother, Mrs. R, passed on not long before Christmas. I attended Mrs. R’s memorial service, and I have to say it was one of the most uplifting experiences I’ve had in a while. It truly was a celebration of life, facing challenges and experiencing personal growth.
There was one life-changing experience that wasn’t discussed at all, and while it bothered me, I am giving the family the benefit of good thoughts. I’m sure, in dealing with their grief, they didn’t want to bring up heart-wrenching pain.
Written in the service program was a little story about the Christmas Rose that bloomed for Mrs. R. The day we picked up R-Squared and her children at the airport, it snowed. Her folks’ yard was covered in a carpet of white; all the landscape dusted with icy crystals. The next day, the sun came out and melted the snow, bringing along with it a single red rosebud that subsequently bloomed outside Mrs. R’s bedroom window. Mr. R clipped it for Mrs. R, displaying it in a vase on her nightstand, which delighted her so much. It bloomed a brilliant crimson hue. However, as Mrs. R’s health declined even further the few days before her death, the rose slowly lost its petals, losing the last ones the day Mrs. R died.
I found it to be a lovely, comforting story about how beauty and joy can hold hands with sadness. The little miracles in our everyday world can mean so much in the end.
I’m ready for many more celebrations of life, just without the dieing part. I think 2007 filled my card in that area for a while.
Well, my next update is quite lackluster in comparison to the one above. I did two tiny core muscle workouts over the past two days. I’ve done what my back can handle, and this morning it felt so much better. Not perfect, mind you, but I can touch my toes without to many twinges.
Filed under: freedom, friends, living life
May the New Year bring you much joy, peace and happiness. May it also see us all a little further down the road to true freedom.
Bright Blessings to you and yours.
I wish the same to you Morrigan. I hope 2008 is a calmer year for you.
I received an email from R2 last night, and she’s not doing as well as I thought. She’s home and is able to let down in her grief =(. She was in shock and the “get it done” mode while staying with her family.
What a beautiful and poignant story about the single rose, lewlew. One of those ineffable mysteries.
Sounds like R2 is going through what she needs to right now, after having kept up appearances for a while. Kindest thoughts to her in her grief.
Hugs to you too in your health efforts! I hope the soreness passes off quickly.
[...] Posted on March 30, 2009 by lewlew My dear friend, R-Squared, sent me an email about her life view at the moment. Her father died a few weeks ago from [...]