One year ago today, we celebrated my sister's life at her memorial service - on her birthday.
Gayle, if you can hear us or read our thoughts, we love you, and we miss you. You have left a great emptiness in our hearts and in our lives.
O God of grace and glory, we remember before you this day our sister Gayle. We thank you for giving her to us, her family and friends, to know and to love as a companion on our earthly pilgrimage. In your boundless compassion, console us who mourn. Give us faith to see in death the gate of eternal life, so that in quiet confidence we may continue our course on earth, until, by your call, we are reunited with those who have gone before; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. "Book of Common Prayer", p. 493
Gayle loved the beach.
Thanks to Geek Philosopher for beach photo.
UPDATE: Folks, I'm obviously losing it. Tomorrow, May 5, is the anniversary. My relatives must truly think I'm crazy. Well, the post will serve for tomorrow. Where Gayle is, there is no time as we know it.
May this be a blessed and peace-filled anniversary.
ReplyDeleteMy dear KJ, thank you.
ReplyDeleteAnother beautiful day of wind, and waves, and sun to remind you of the exuberant, love-giving life Gayle shared with so many. May you feel her with you especially today, though she is with you always.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I suspect she won't mind the two-day commemoration. Maybe she's smiling and saying something like "Bring the party on, sister!" In any event, Mimi, you're not one to ever be losing "it."
Klady, I felt truly sad yesterday, even after I realized I had the wrong day. Today - not so sad.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, today is the anniversary day, and I'm back to sanity - more or less.
I believe that she liked it that her birthday coincided with another celebration, Cinco de Mayo.
I believe that she liked it that her birthday coincided with another celebration, Cinco de Mayo.
ReplyDeleteGayle sounds like my kind of woman! My birthday is in early August, and the family joke is that the 4th of July is the Opening Ceremony for Doxy's birthday, and Labor Day is the Closing Ceremony. ;-)
She was smarter though, to actually be born on a day when you can dance to great music and drink margaritas to your heart's content.
Mimi---I hope you find some comfort in your good memories of your sister. She was clearly beloved by many, and goes on doing good even now, with the scholarship named for her. We should all leave such a positive legacy...
Prayers and love.
ReplyDeleteBut, Doxy, you have a season of celebration, just like a church season.
ReplyDeleteWe should all leave such a positive legacy...
Amen!
Kristin, thank you.
Hey, Mimi, I got a notice a few days ago about the scholarship in memory of your sister being awarded! Hooray - and some smaller ones. Great kids, will do your sister honor. Love to you this day.
ReplyDeleteShare Cropper, they all seemed outstanding young people. I'm pleased that the Endowment thought to give the runners-up a smaller scholarship. That was a nice touch.
ReplyDeleteToday has been a good day. I did my grieving yesterday - on the wrong day.
It is always the right day to grieve losses. Prayers.
ReplyDeleteLove and Prayers, Mimi....and I'm jealous that Gayle's birthday is on such a festive occasion!
ReplyDeleteAlthough....I was born on Shakespeare's 'recognized' birthday so we had to be veddy dignified(ha). Perhaps our shared birthday explains my raging Anglophilia?
Love, susan
Ann, Susan, thanks for the prayers. We grieve when we grieve.
ReplyDeleteSusan, well, born on the Bard's designated birthday. What were your dignified celebrations like?
Two books by Alexander McCall Smith...a work free day sitting slothfully in my chair reading one of the books!
ReplyDeleteDinner at the Japanese Restaurant down the street...we have no English Restaurants here in Berkeley, and I didn't want to cook, it being MY birthday an' all.
Susan, I don't cook on my birthday either. Whatever else I do, I don't cook.
ReplyDelete