To Find You in Presence, Erin

I'm groping for adequate words today,
so again bowing in gratitude of John O'Donohue's exquisite ability.

HAPPY 19th BIRTHDAY TO OUR DEAR ERIN ~

Though we need to weep your loss,
You dwell in that safe place in our hearts,
Where no storm or might or pain can reach you.

Your love was like the dawn
Brightening over our lives
Awakening beneath the dark
A further adventure of colour.

The sound of your voice
Found for us
A new music
That brightened everything.

Whatever you enfolded in your gaze
Quickened in the joy of its being;
You placed smiles like flowers
On the altar of the heart.
Your mind always sparkled
With wonder at things.

Though your days here were brief,
Your spirit was live, awake, complete.

We look towards each other no longer
From the old distance of our names;
Now you dwell inside the rhythm of breath,
As close to us as we are to ourselves.

Though we cannot see you with outward eyes,
We know our soul's gaze is upon your face,
Smiling back at us from within everything
To which we bring our best refinement.

Let us not look for you only in memory,
Where we would grow lonely without you.
You would want us to find you in presence,
Beside us when beauty brightens,
When kindness glows
And music echoes eternal tones.

When orchids brighten the earth,
Darkest winter has turned to spring;
May this dark grief flower with hope
In every heart that loves you.


May you continue to inspire us:

To enter each day with a generous heart.
To serve the call of courage and love
Until we see your beautiful face again
In that land where there is no more separation,
Where all tears will be wiped from our mind,
And where we will never lose you again.





(© John O’Donohue. All rights reserved)

Some may question my use of a picture of the "sick" Erin on her birthday. This photo was taken last Thanksgiving, one week after her brain tumor surgery and the day before the earth made its final shift.

On that day, Erin was so incredibly HAPPY. The family was together for the whole day. Physically, she felt well. She had a certain sense of peace about her that I now look back on with such gratitude. That day was absolutely beautiful. She OWNED that day with special strength in a way that was so ERIN!

So yes, I want to remember THAT Erin ~ the shining example of courage and love.
And I thought she looked gorgeous!

Oh my goodness!
Look what I just found from my wonderful friend REED!
Talk about a friend staying with you - even from afar.