just checking in

~ jama

“The greatest tribute to the dead is not grief but gratitude.” ~ Thornton Wilder

loveandgratitude
via The Wheatfield

 *

Hello, Friends,

As some of you know, my mother passed away early last month — nine days after we arrived in Hawai’i. Though I’m still trying to process her rapid decline and accept the finality of her death, I do know I’m very grateful that I was able to see her one last time and that she knew I was there.

Thank you so much for the many emails, snail mail cards, and kind condolences via social media. Your caring, concern and support meant a lot and certainly made a tough time easier.

I’ve just returned to Virginia, am trying to get my life back on track, and hope to resume blogging regularly again soon. I’ll definitely be online to host next week’s Poetry Friday Roundup on May 9, which, ironically, falls on Mother’s Day weekend.

Hope you all had a good Poetry Month.

Happy May Day, Happy Lei Day!

xoxo

leis

E lei kau, e lei ho ‘oilo i ke aloha

Love is worn like a wreath through the summers and the winters. Love is everlasting.

 

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Copyright © 2014 Jama Rattigan of Jama’s Alphabet Soup. All rights reserved.

71 thoughts on “just checking in”

  4. I’m sorry that your mother died. I am happy you were with her. I bet she’s up There, smiling at you and your family. 🙂
    She must have been a great lady to have such a nice daughter. 🙂

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  6. I echo Iza and Erik (especially the nice daughter part). I look forward to Jama’s gems arriving in my inbox again whenever you’re ready. Warm hugs from NC–

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  8. I’ve been thinking of you all this time, Jama. It’s never easy to say goodbye, but I am so happy you were there with her. That’s the best thing. Hope your family is doing well, especially your father.

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    1. Thanks for all your good thoughts, Linda — I could feel them all the way in Hawaii. 🙂 My Dad is coping as best as he can. He and my mother were together 67 years.

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  12. Sending you another in a long (endless?) line of hugs, Jama. As you find your way, please feel free to ask for anything. I am all ears.

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    1. No such thing as too many hugs — I’ll take whatever you want to send my way (Cornelius is jealous). Thanks, T. I like your ears. 🙂

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  14. So sorry to hear about your mom, Jama. I’m glad you were able to be with her at the end–gratitude is the right word for that and a lifetime of gifts. Sending you hugs and healing thoughts.

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  15. You are keeping her spirit in the world by sharing these thoughts about her.

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  19. Thinking of you and your father, Jama. What a blessing it must be to have been able to be with her in those last days. Love. It’s a powerful thing.

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    1. Yes, it was a privilege and a blessing. When I first left for Hawai’i at the beginning of April, we had no idea we’d be making funeral plans in less than two weeks.

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  20. Sending you and your family the best hopes of comfort for your loss, and the biggest of hugs!

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  21. *Dear Jama,*

    *I don’t know why, but I get the feeling that you were an only child and very close to your mother? As I was. I may be totally wrong in this, but regardless if you were or not, I know what a journey of grieving you have ahead of you, and it will be beautiful and awful and deeply sad and happy, and sacred and no doubt, 14 years from now you will still miss her, as I do my own mother, who died in 2000. *

    *Again, my deepest sympathies to you and to your family and peace to you,* *Sharon*

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    1. Not an only child; I have an older brother. We are a close family. Yes, grieving will be a journey like no other, something all of us have to take at some point in our lives, several times over. I am finding much comfort especially from others, like you, who have lost their mothers awhile ago and know very well what it’s like.

      Thanks so much for your kind sympathies. Peace to you, too, especially this Mother’s Day.

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    1. Hi Matt — it’s nice to be back. You’ve had your own share of turmoil recently. Hope things are going more smoothly for you and your family.

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    1. Thanks for the welcome, hugs and love, Laura. I enjoyed listening to your Riddle-ku last month. Your voice is very pretty and soothing to me. 🙂

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  26. We miss you Jama. Take care of yourself. Mourning can be exhausting. I hope you are finding comfort in your memories.

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  29. Jama, I didn’t know you were there when your mom got ill. I’m so glad, but I know also how hard that must have been to watch. You and your mother were so lucky to have each other. Sending some hugs over.

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    1. My mother had been declining since last Spring. Her time came and now she’s finally at rest. Thanks for the hugs!

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  33. I’m so sorry that you lost your beloved mother. As long as she is in your memories, she will live on. I’m glad you will be back, but take your time.

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  34. Just catching up, and am sorry to hear about your mother’s passing, Jama. Peace and comfort to you.

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  35. Oh, sweet Jama – so sorry to hear. So hard. Wishing you much love as you journey through grief, and lovely memories this Mother’s Day. xo

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  36. Long distance thoughts from that other Hawai’i – Florida, Jama & so very sorry. Thank you for this tribute, gratitude over grief.
    Many uplifting beams of strength, your way.

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