“When you are sorrowful, look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.”
– Kahlil Gibran
Have you ever been on a vacation and you loved wherever you were so much that you didn’t want to leave? That happened to me last week when I was on the island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas. The beaches were some of the most beautiful I have ever seen on this planet of ours…clear turquoise waters with pale pink sand.
Most days, I had the entire beach to myself. I’d just float in the water, letting the sea soothe my rather weary soul. It feels as if I’ve cried an ocean of tears this past year…that’s the way some years roll, I guess 🙁
But I am very glad I had the intuitive wisdom to rest up in Eleuthera, for there was more sadness ahead.
December 3rd would’ve been my Mom’s 89th birthday. A few years ago, my family took her on a cruise to Alaska and we had an absolute riot! But when the time came for us to leave, she was bawling her eyes out behind her big white sunglasses. I asked her what the heck was wrong.
“I don’t want to leave!” she cried. “I’ve had so much fun that I don’t want the holiday to end. I don’t want it to be over.”
At the time, I didn’t get it. I mean, she loved her life back home…why wouldn’t she want the cruise to end?
But then last week, when the time came for me to leave Eleuthera and fly back to my hometown of Calgary for another farewell to a much-loved family member, I got it alright. As I swam for the last time in the ocean, I realized I did NOT want to leave. I didn’t want the holiday to end. And I certainly didn’t want to leave my peaceful little paradise to return to the cold, harsh reality of yet another death in the family.
But then, after a good cry in my cute little condo, it hit me: maybe that’s what dying is like, too? I mean, it must so difficult for a soul to leave the body, for they are not only leaving their life behind but all their loved ones, home and cherished belongings as well. Just as the living find it heart-wrenchingly difficult to say goodbye to the dying, so too must it be incredibly tough for the dying to leave all that they love.
When I arrived in Calgary, Stacey (the sister of my husband, John, who passed away 14 years ago) picked me up at the airport and took me to the hospital to see their Mom (“Mrs P”), who was in a coma. After dealing with lymphoma for 9 years, her body had finally had enough and she’d lost consciousness a few days earlier. The medical staff were keeping her comfortable as her body shut down. This meant that Stacey, her brother, Pete, and all their family and friends had been able to say goodbye.
I spent that night in hospital, holding Mrs P’s hand, talking to her and carefully listening for any changes in her breathing. She was on the homestretch but nobody knew exactly when she was going to reach the finish line. The next day, there was a small group of us by her side the entire day. We cried and talked, shared stories and laughed over funny memories – for there are so many.
Then, after the busyness of the day had ended and there were only a few of us left in the room, Mrs P took her final few breathes. Her passing was peaceful, graceful and courageous…just like her.
I think she knew she had to leave and she’d accepted that – but I don’t think she wanted to. Thankfully, she was able to spend her last day with people she loved – and who loved her – very much. One last family get-together, complete with yummy food, to send her on her way.
Mrs P having fun in dressing room 🙂
When my own Mom died in March, we didn’t get the chance to say goodbye, or hold her hand as she passed away, because she died so suddenly. I know my Mom didn’t want to leave either. Her body was giving out but her spirit – her love of life – was as strong as ever. And I don’t think that ever dies.
Momma Pope and MA in Kananaskis, AB
In contrast, when my beloved old dog, Soda, died in May, I was right there on the floor of the vet clinic with her when she took her final breath. I held her fluffy little white paw as she passed away and although hers was also a peaceful passing, I know for a fact that if she’d had any say in the matter, she wouldn’t have left either. But we all have to go – and I suppose the best we can hope for is a peaceful parting after a life well lived.
Maryanne and Soda, Island View Beach, Victoria, BC
For despite the heartache and the tears, the sickness and the sorrow, this life is beautiful indeed. Perhaps one of the greatest lessons death can teach us is that our time here is finite, so it’s in our best interest to laugh more than we cry – even in our grief. For as Kahlil Gibran so wisely observed: “When you are sorrowful, look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.”
Oh…so beautiful. I just read your “Leaving What and Who We Love…” — so eloquent. I’m in tears now because you have just put to words all that I’ve felt lately for life, the people we love in our lives, and those who’ve passed away.
Beautiful, so perfect. Your point is so true, life is beautiful indeed, finite though it is. My goal is to laugh more in every moment I can and feel the joy in simple moments.
Your writing is gift to so many and John and his mom are shining their love down on you today, both so proud of you.
SH, Calgary, AB
Hi MA,
Your article, so raw with truth as to how the heart aches, with so many good-byes in one year. The heart pains! I am so glad Kevin was able to get up to her room before she passed.
I don’t know if this a good time to write this, and I don’t want you to be angry with me, but I guess I find it sad when there seems to be no hope after people pass from this earth.
The hope I experience is that our lives are not finite but are infinite. We get so stuck in this life that we don’t see the amazing and beyond comprehension of the beauty that is has been prepared for us when we leave this earth. The hope of “see ya later” is tucked away in our heart so that when grief subsides, the excitement of being reunited with our loved ones sometime in the future, can once again take residence in our hearts. People would rather believe there is nothing after death with finality than study the reason for the hope that has been given to us. I don’t get it. So as we celebrate the Reason for the Season this December, I ask you to ponder and meditate on the possibility that there is life beyond the grave and the Hope that is offered to each one of us so we have a Paradise to look forward to with those who have gone on before us.
Love ya,
Deborah
Aw, M.A….
What a year it has been!…Oh my goodness! You have worn your heart on your sleeve and invited those around you to share in your life experiences. In typical M.A. style, you have showed us “How it’s done!!” Amazingly, you have once again been the pillar of strength that we have all come to know and love. I just wanted you to know how much you are respected and cherished, my Dear…Much love, S-
Oh…thanks so much for your kind words, Stace. I really appreciate that! It has been a difficult year but it’s also been a really beautiful one, too, with lots of fun.
Take care and big hugs,
love ma
Hi Deborah! Thank you so much for your candid comments. I am SO glad that Kevin was able to see Mrs P before she passed away…it was a lovely moment. Re life after death, I do very much believe that there is more than this life. I don’t know the details, obviously, but I have personally experienced enough in the past 14 years to make me realize that when our body dies, it is not the end for our soul.
In this particular blog, I chose to focus more on the fact that regardless of what happens after this life, it still must be SO difficult for the soul to make the transition because of all the ties to the person’s life on earth and their loved ones.
It is a huge topic, for sure, and each person has such different beliefs.
Take care and much love,
ma
Beautiful! Sorry about Mrs P. Sometimes it is hard to know
if a quick exit from life is best or not. I hope I just go in my sleep but probably will not be that lucky.
Mary-Anne,
Very nice and beautiful writing. So touching and real feelings.
There are days I wish it was dads time, too. But he will be 88 on Dec 19 and we will celebrate. It’s so sad and hard seeing him living with no quality of life. He always enjoyed his life.
Wishing you all the best.
Oh Joyce…it is SO hard to see a parent living but with very poor quality of life. I totally understand what you are saying.
Take care,
Maryanne
I hear ya, Jennifer…going quick in our sleep would be nice! I guess we get what we get when our time comes.
Maryanne
Thank you for this post. Thinking of you, and wanted to share this e-book called Letters to Grief. It’s a short read, and is only $0.99 on Amazon if you’re interested. I hope it will be a help to you as you continue to grieve these losses.
10 thoughts on “Leaving What And Who We Love”
This beautiful comment just came in via e-mail:
Oh…so beautiful. I just read your “Leaving What and Who We Love…” — so eloquent. I’m in tears now because you have just put to words all that I’ve felt lately for life, the people we love in our lives, and those who’ve passed away.
Beautiful, so perfect. Your point is so true, life is beautiful indeed, finite though it is. My goal is to laugh more in every moment I can and feel the joy in simple moments.
Your writing is gift to so many and John and his mom are shining their love down on you today, both so proud of you.
SH, Calgary, AB
Hi MA,
Your article, so raw with truth as to how the heart aches, with so many good-byes in one year. The heart pains! I am so glad Kevin was able to get up to her room before she passed.
I don’t know if this a good time to write this, and I don’t want you to be angry with me, but I guess I find it sad when there seems to be no hope after people pass from this earth.
The hope I experience is that our lives are not finite but are infinite. We get so stuck in this life that we don’t see the amazing and beyond comprehension of the beauty that is has been prepared for us when we leave this earth. The hope of “see ya later” is tucked away in our heart so that when grief subsides, the excitement of being reunited with our loved ones sometime in the future, can once again take residence in our hearts. People would rather believe there is nothing after death with finality than study the reason for the hope that has been given to us. I don’t get it. So as we celebrate the Reason for the Season this December, I ask you to ponder and meditate on the possibility that there is life beyond the grave and the Hope that is offered to each one of us so we have a Paradise to look forward to with those who have gone on before us.
Love ya,
Deborah
Aw, M.A….
What a year it has been!…Oh my goodness! You have worn your heart on your sleeve and invited those around you to share in your life experiences. In typical M.A. style, you have showed us “How it’s done!!” Amazingly, you have once again been the pillar of strength that we have all come to know and love. I just wanted you to know how much you are respected and cherished, my Dear…Much love, S-
Oh…thanks so much for your kind words, Stace. I really appreciate that! It has been a difficult year but it’s also been a really beautiful one, too, with lots of fun.
Take care and big hugs,
love ma
Hi Deborah! Thank you so much for your candid comments. I am SO glad that Kevin was able to see Mrs P before she passed away…it was a lovely moment. Re life after death, I do very much believe that there is more than this life. I don’t know the details, obviously, but I have personally experienced enough in the past 14 years to make me realize that when our body dies, it is not the end for our soul.
In this particular blog, I chose to focus more on the fact that regardless of what happens after this life, it still must be SO difficult for the soul to make the transition because of all the ties to the person’s life on earth and their loved ones.
It is a huge topic, for sure, and each person has such different beliefs.
Take care and much love,
ma
Beautiful! Sorry about Mrs P. Sometimes it is hard to know
if a quick exit from life is best or not. I hope I just go in my sleep but probably will not be that lucky.
Mary-Anne,
Very nice and beautiful writing. So touching and real feelings.
There are days I wish it was dads time, too. But he will be 88 on Dec 19 and we will celebrate. It’s so sad and hard seeing him living with no quality of life. He always enjoyed his life.
Wishing you all the best.
Oh Joyce…it is SO hard to see a parent living but with very poor quality of life. I totally understand what you are saying.
Take care,
Maryanne
I hear ya, Jennifer…going quick in our sleep would be nice! I guess we get what we get when our time comes.
Maryanne
Thank you for this post. Thinking of you, and wanted to share this e-book called Letters to Grief. It’s a short read, and is only $0.99 on Amazon if you’re interested. I hope it will be a help to you as you continue to grieve these losses.
Here is the link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QG5YD6U