TALLADEGA SCENIC HIGHWAY ON MT. CHEAHA ~ ALABAMA ~ photo taken by Dianna Stover
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Friday, March 5, 2010

DO NOT STAND

DO NOT STAND

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond's gift of snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the autumn's gentle rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there ~ I did not die.


I just wanted to thank all of my readers who left comments for me on my last post, for your lovely words of strength and support for me and my family. These last couple of weeks has been probably the most difficult experience I've had to endure in my life thus far. Losing my father to cancer was not exactly how I thought things would go, but someone once told me... "If you want to give God a good laugh, just sit back and tell him your plans."

This is so true. I'm thankful for the fact that my family has always been a strong and loving one, because if it weren't for our faith and support, of and for each other... this whole ordeal would have been unbearable.

I'm glad that I've been able to stay here, in Dubuque with my mom to help get some of her and dad's business in order, and set her on the long path of healing as his surviving widow. Even though I am very sad I have to leave her, I know my two brothers and their families will be here for her, as well as my abundant circle of relatives who all are very caring, loving and supportive.

It's time for me to return to my home in Alabama and try to get myself back into some sort of normalcy. I've missed my hubby and my critters and I'm anxious to see them all again. Harley tells me the weather for Saturday and Sunday are supposed to be really pretty, so I told him on the phone last night... "That's a good thing. I think a little road thereapy is just what I need."

Thank you again for your support and patience during my absence and I'm looking forward to getting back to the keyboard... after all what's the fun in keeping the miles to myself. Take care of your families and enjoy each day to the fullest... you never know when it may be your last.

Ride on!
Lady R

11 comments:

Ann said...

I'm so very sorry for your loss, LadyR. I can honestly say, I know what you're going through. In time, the pain will fade and the good memories will shine through. We're thinking of you here in Arizona.

Webster World said...

Times like these are never easy. The good thing is you have a close and loving family. And like Ann said time will heal. Now you are home with you sweetie and your critter's and loving on them will help.

Learning to Golf said...

It is good that you got to stay with your mom the last couple of weeks. Now go get on that bike and ride, remember, smile, laugh, cry, and celebrate the wind and your Dad's memory. Here's another little prayer offered to help ease the pain.

B.B. said...

Thank you for sharing that poem, it is beautiful. I'm so glad you were able to be with your mom for a bit, I'm sure it was good for both of you.
I really hope you get out for that road therapy this weekend. Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

FLHX_Dave said...

Thanks for sharing all of it. I can't even fully relate to what you and others are feeling right now. Just know that someone is out here thinking, pondering and sharing in this with you.

It's all just part of the trip. The road is unforgiving but none of us would want to look back and say, "That was easy." There's no satisfaction in that. The poem says it all for me.

Willy D said...

Excellent poem.

Anonymous said...

To our Loved Ones in Heaven

Thought of you with love today, but that is nothing new. I thought about you yesterday, and days before that too. I think of you in silence, I often speak your name. All I have are memories and a picture in a frame. Your memory is a keepsake, with which I'll never part. God has you in His keeping, I have you in my heart

Baron's Life said...

A beautiful poem for your dad...I'm glad you got to pend ome time with your mom and that your two brothers and thier families will look after her...Everyone will heal in time ..keep well and strong

mq01 said...

big hugs ladyR, big strong hugs!!

Lady R (Di) said...

Ann... believe it or not... you've been on my mind a lot over these last couple weeks. I found comfort in realizing... others know how I feel. It sucks more than anything, but understanding we're not alone... makes many things more tolerable. Thanks for being there with your words of comfort and support!

Webster... without a doubt, coming home had it's rewards. Even though Harley made the trip to Dubuque by himself, with my puppies in tow... it was nice to get home and see everybody. My cats acted like I was a visitor! They can be such brats!

AZD... We did exactly that! I got home Friday night and we were riding by 10:30 the next morning. I thought a lot about my dad AND mom during those much needed miles. Time and riding will help me with many things.

B.B... that was the poem we picked to be printed on our family thank you notes. We thought it portrayed what dad would have told us. I think he would want to kick our butts if we didn't continue to enjoy our lives to the fullest... and I intend to do just that!

Dave... there's no way to prepare yourself. When the time comes, you just have to fall back on your faith AND your love... it's the only thing that keeps you in one piece (or should I say peace?)

Willy D... thanks man.

Anonymous... what a beautiful poem. I will print that and remember it. Thank you... whoever you are. :)

Baron... thank you. I grew up realizing that family was everything. I'm glad this is one of the things we learned from our dad.

mq01... thanks friend... I sure will take 'em.

"Joker" said...

I know I'm a little late...but you have been in my thoughts. I've never seen that poem before, but it's perfect for this post.

I'm very glad you have such a supportive, close family near your Mom to help her out. I don't know what that's like. It's been just me and my Mom since my Dad passed in '99. I had hoped to find such closeness with my soon to be ex's family, and unfortunately, it worked completely opposite. I've been alone for a long time, so I guess I'm used to it, but I'm really glad that you are not.

Amen to the last sentence.