“The greatest tribute to the dead is not grief but gratitude.” ~ Thornton Wilder
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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
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.
*hugs* Jama x
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Thanks, Catherine!
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We’ve all missed you. Glad you are back. Will write soon. Much love to you.
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Been following your robin updates. Looking forward to getting back into the blogging groove very soon.
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Take time, take care, Jama. xoxo
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Thanks, Leslie. Hope all is well with you and your family. 🙂
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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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You always know just what to say, Erik. Thanks for the kind words! 🙂
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Erik said it right! We look forward to having you back, Jama, when you are ready. Take all the time you need. Sending love and hugs,
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Feels nice to be back in this space and to get such a warm welcome. Happy May, Iza!!
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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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Hi Linda! Appreciate the hugs and support. Hope good things are blooming in NC :).
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Welcome home. I’ve tucked a little hug behind an arm chair cushion – ♥
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You are too sweet. Thanks, Julie! 🙂
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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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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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Jama, many aloha-filled hugs to you. What a blessing you could spend a little time with your mother. We will all look forward to reading your posts once you are back on track. Aloha, friend.
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Thanks, Margo! I ate a spam musubi while I was there and thought of you. 🙂
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I look forward to your posts. Hugs!
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Hugs right back to you, Penny. Thanks for being here.
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Sending you much love, Jama. Glad you are safely back home.
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Thank you, Margie. Hope your mom is doing better. Sending healing thoughts her way. ♥
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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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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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Sending you and your family healing and peaceful vibes.
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Thanks so much, Bridget!
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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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We were blessed that she had a good, long life — 89 years!
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You are keeping her spirit in the world by sharing these thoughts about her.
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Yes, so true — loved ones remain in our hearts always.
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So sorry for your loss. I think the quote is perfect. Sending healing thoughts.
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Thank you, Rosi!
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I’m so sorry to hear about your loss. Thank you for checking in.
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And thank YOU for dropping by :).
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Sending positive thoughts your way Jama. Cheers
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Thanks, Carole. Happy May!
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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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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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Sending you and your family the best hopes of comfort for your loss, and the biggest of hugs!
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Thanks for the support and hugs, Jenn. Much appreciated!
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*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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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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I’m so sorry, Jama. Thinking of you and sending you a virtual hug…
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Thanks for the hug, Melissa!
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Good to see you’re back, Jama – we’ve missed you! Hope you & the family are doing ok.
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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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Welcome back, Jama. Hugs and love.
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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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Crumb. I just realized I’ll be at IRA next Friday. Would it be possible for you to add my link? http://www.teachingauthors.com/2014/05/november-night-and-my-clippings.html I’ve got November Night, by Adelaide Crapsey, from FIREFLY JULY. If it’s too much bother, no worries. xoxox, Laura
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No problem. I’ll add it! Have fun at IRA. 🙂
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Thanks, Jama, for adding the link and also for your kind words about the riddle-ku. That was a really fun project:>)
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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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You’re right — it *is* exhausting. It’s nice to be missed. Thanks for the care and concern, Liz.
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We all missed you but understand – sending lots of love your way!
Hugs
Uru
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Thanks, Uru!
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Have thought of you so often and wish you peace. (hug)
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Thanks so much, Cathy. Hugging you back! 🙂
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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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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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I hadn’t heard, Jama. I am so sorry for your loss.
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Thank you, Ruth.
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Thinking of you and your family and sending lots of love and hugs.
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Thanks, Barb. Love and Hugs are needed and appreciated :).
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I’m so sorry about your mother, Jama. As many others have said, how lucky for you all that you could be there with her and your dad. Hugs to you!
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Yes, we were lucky to have gotten there just in time. Thanks for your condolences, Catherine!
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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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Appreciate your kind thoughts!
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Just catching up, and am sorry to hear about your mother’s passing, Jama. Peace and comfort to you.
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Thank you so much!
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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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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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