I have a few very fond and quite special memories of her. Not many memories, but ones which I have enjoyed sharing with others these last few days. I would say that she definitely touched my life and although I rarely saw her or spent much in the way of time with her I have learnt from her. We talked about her a little the day of and a few days after my Gran's funeral (she was married to Gran's brother) but I can't say other than that I'd given her much more than a passing thought for some time.
I said last week to a couple of people that I thought going on the JST trip had helped me to feel less guilt. Well, not today. Today I feel guilty. I am trying to rationalise the fact that I didn't really know her into thinking sensibly and remembering that those we love do not leave us as long as they are remembered.
Her children and grandchildren knew her better than I did, can remember her face while I cannot clearly. But I got to see things and be there for things that they did not and that helps her memory to live on in a way it otherwise wouldn't.
I'm also trying to remember that my Gran and Grandad live on in their memories too. They didn't know them as well as we did but they knew them in a different way. And just as the parts of them that were Mum and Dad, Gran and Grandad were a very important part of them so was their role as Kelly and Barney's Auntie Jean and Uncle Henry
I will miss Auntie Nellie but the fact I didn't know her well and hadn't seen her for years doesn't matter - the fact I knew her and I remember is all that does.
Requiescat in Pace whilst you live on in our memories Auntie Nellie - Thank you for teaching me and for being who you were/ARE.
Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there, I do not sleep
I am 1,000 winds that blow
I am the diamond glints on snow
I am the sun on ripened grain
I am the gentle autumn rain
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled light
I am the soft star that shines at night
Do not stand at my grave and cry
I am not there; I did not die
1 comment:
you have to reason to feel guilty honey. you didn't do anything wrong. don't burden your heart with unecessarry stress and sorrow. it is not good for your health at all. pray for her. think of her with respect and fondly, that is all that is needed.
now, i have been busier than i remember for a while..i'm not sure why, but the end of August and September usually have me running after my own tail..sorry i haven't been stopping by much. i have however kept up with your adventurous trip and read it happily as you wrote them. i am thrilled that you had such a great time. that you have all those memories to carry for all your days and that the pics show us a bit of how much beauty you experienced..thank you for taking us along with you, less all the work ;p ...your post are treasured as always, i assure you...
hugs. no more guilt please...love...
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