"Waterlilies" by Claude Monet
Today is the one-year anniversary of the death of my beloved sister, Gayle. You can read about her in this post from earlier this month. I talk about The Dillenkoffer Endowment, which a friend of hers set up to provide college scholarships for GLBT students in Missouri and Kansas.
Beneath a slide show of pictures of her at the scholarship site are the words, "Gayle's rich life on earth came to an end on April 27, 2006 after a four month fight with pancreatic cancer. Her grand spirit lives on in the lives of so many."
That's so very true.
I say this about her in my post, "She was a lovely person, and I miss her terribly still, as she was my closest confidante." It's true today, and I want to remember her and honor her.
About the scholarships, I said this, "I'm sure she looks upon this memorial with great delight."
May God give her rest in the light of his love.
May God bless all of us who loved her and give us healing and peace.
Prayers surrounding you on this anniversary.
ReplyDeleteMy prayers to you also. Last week I marked the 4th anniversary of my own dear Sister's death. It is a strange and difficult thing, I must say.
ReplyDeleteMay all your memories of your beloved sister, Gayle, be a blessing to you.
Robin
Your sister was obviously a powerful, beautiful woman.
ReplyDeleteHugs and prayers for you on this tough day.
April is a cruel month. I mourn the loss of my grandfather and my beloved stepfather each year---may they both rest in peace and rise in glory.
ReplyDeleteI'll say an extra prayer today for you, Mimi, and for Gayle. She won my heart by her dogged insistence that you meet and get to know her gay friends...
Prayers for you on this first-year anniversary. I visited the web site and agree with PJ.
ReplyDeleteThis past Sunday, my partner's 58 year-old cousin died after a six-month struggle with pancreatic cancer. That cancer is simply a bear.
prayers for you and your sister, and your family
ReplyDeleteMy prayers, as well, Mimi.
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you. I love Monet, and the waterlilies are my favorite.
You know full well, Mimi, that I am with you in spirit at this time.
ReplyDeleteDavid
Prayers and love, Mimi.
ReplyDeleteMy prayers as well. One year anniversaries such as these can be so sweet and painful all at the same time.
ReplyDeleteYours reminds me of my Aunt Barbara, my mother's only sibling and her best friend and the light of my life, not to mention Barbara's daughters and everyone else who came in contact with her. Barbara died on Labor Day one year after having a lung collapse and being diagnosed with cancer on Memorial Day. I could not visit her while she was dying because I had two babies at home and no money to travel, but my thoughts were with her and those who were with her daily throughout those long but short summer months.
Barbara loved Monet's Water Lilies. She spent most of her adult life in Oklahoma but had a love of water. Whenever she would come visit us in the Chicago area, the first thing she would do, no matter what time of year it was, was go find a beach on Lake Michigan. When one of her daughters went off to college in NYC, Barbara would take time off from the family business and make regular visits of her own to explore and learn all she could about the city. It wasn't all museums or Mid-town, by any means, but one of her favorite spots was the room in MOMA with Monet's Water Lilies. I have been there a few times since, remembering her, her joy, insatiable curiosity, and unselfconscious daily mission to people and animals everywhere.
Thanks for reminding me of her and special prayers for Gayle, her extraordinary life, and the friends and family who love her so.
prayers and a hug for you--
ReplyDeleteI was in NYC when my beloved grandfather died, and I couldn't get to the funeral. I went to the Met for solace because I wasn't into churches at the time. In the Impressionists I happened to glance at the notes beside a farm painting and discover it was done the year he was born; he was a farmer. I sat and communed with the painting and with him for a long, sweet, sad time.
I'm thinking of you
ReplyDelete--scout
All of you, thanks for the prayers and good wishes.
ReplyDeleteKlady, I'm pleased that the Monet brought back lovely memories of your aunt.
(((Mimi)))
ReplyDeletePrayers for you and your sister, albeit, belatedly!