Me, alone. Life after loss.
One day, our souls will dance together into eternity.
~ This quote is by me.
To honor Errol's Creole heritage, and quite frankly, to also help me through it all, I hired a New Orleans traditional jazz band for his funeral. After the coffin was placed in the crypt, the band changed to the happy send off tunes.
As family and friends did the second line, I walked over to the now closed crypt and whispered, "some day our souls will dance together into eternity."
As family and friends did the second line, I walked over to the now closed crypt and whispered, "some day our souls will dance together into eternity."
I don't know where it came from, but it has since become a great comfort to me.
A year ago, April 22, 2015, I held his hand as he passed away at 2:33 in the afternoon........
Hi Inger - This is wonderful to read ... you have honoured your beloved and your souls will dance together for eternity. I loved the idea of the jazz band to help you all be uplifted ... with many many thoughts on this Earth Day - the land that Errol, with you, so cherished - with many thoughts and hugs - Hilary
ReplyDeleteI love that beautiful quote.
ReplyDeleteawww. so incredibly touching.
ReplyDeleteOne year, it seems like just the other day, and for you, at least 12 months. Your words are hauntingly beautiful, from your heart.Hugs for today and the year ahead.
ReplyDeleteApril 22 is one of those days that is permanently etched in your heart. The love that you had for Errol comes through in every one of these posts. All I can offer is a virtual hand from the other side of the continent but it's there.
ReplyDeleteYou gave Errol a beautiful send off.
ReplyDeleteMy heart aches for you today on the 1st anniversary. the photo is perfect and also awesome... hugs and prayers from me to you
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful way to honor him.
ReplyDeleteThe words came because they were the perfect ones to say.
I imagine he whispered back, "Until then ..."
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post.
ReplyDeleteFirst anniversaries are the hardest. The dance of life has breaks, but you and I feel that couples come back together as Eternity shifts the tune to reunion mode. :-)
ReplyDeleteI've been reading your blog through this past year and have been impressed with how well you have carried on with life. My mother went through the same things you have when my dad passed away. Women are resilient creatures, tougher than men in some ways. I like your lifestyle, living out in the country with the dogs, doing things with your friends. You get my vote as a fun person and a survivor.
ReplyDeleteI will never forget his funeral--I hope I gave you some measure of comfort at the time!!
ReplyDeleteAlmost as good as the fireworks you have planned for yourself. Seriously though, it was exactly the way he wished for it to be.
DeleteI do believe you are right about eternity. Loved the band idea. I have been to such funerals and they are almost uplifting.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful thing you said to him. And a New Orleans Jazz band to send him off!! Fantastic
ReplyDeleteInger, i am so happy to hear from you. Thank you very much for taking time to say hello . .
ReplyDeleteYour sharing is so beautiful . . i am sorry for the bittersweet - the beauty and the sorrow mixed -
Dixie Celebrations are The Best -
love & love,
-g-
A what a dance it will be, Inger.
ReplyDeleteLovely post.....
Inger, I was so touched by your post today and by the comment you left on my blog. It is hard to believe it has been a year since your Errol left this earth to be in eternal peace. You have done so well for yourself and I believe you'll have that dance in eternal life with Errol some day.
ReplyDeleteYour beautiful photo of a sunburst through the cloud with a silver lining is what my sister and I saw on out way home right after my mom died in the hospital.
It had been a dark and rainy day and as we were driving home we saw the most beautiful sun burst through the clouds and we saw a silver lining
and we both exclaimed at the same time, "Look, heaven opened up for mom" . It was so beautiful and comforting.
Of course I'll visit your blog once in a while as I will visit some of my friends blogs too. It has been good to get to know you and I'm really proud of your strength as you continue to go through your life journey, alone after loss.
Many blessings dear Inger.
Hugs,
Julia
Thank you so much, dear Julia and all the best to you.
DeleteA year passes fast when we look back upon it, but living through that same amount of time is another matter. Time does ease the pain somewhat but we both know our lives can change and turn on a dime. Celebrate the good times, Inger, the memories you don't want to forget, write them in a journal. I made a memory book for my Mom when she passed on, as she was the guiding light in my life. Maybe some time you might want to do that for Errol. I think of it as a way of honouring their life in photographs. I used to want a New Orleans style funeral so I think that's great that you did that. Thanks for visiting my blog during the A to Z, I appreciate it!
ReplyDeleteI did a photo memory book for our 20th anniversary. I ahven't looked at it yet, but I will.
DeleteInger, sending hugs and virtual rottweiler kisses (they are extremely powerful and mystically healing). This was a beautiful post.
ReplyDeleteCatching up with all of your posts for the Challenge - it is an honour to read them. Knowing how very difficult things were a year ago and thinking your own quote is such a perfect one.
ReplyDeletePempi
Stormy’s Sidekicks
Special Teaching at Pempi’s Palace
Thank you so much for your kind words. I will stop by your blog soon.
DeleteA very touching post and my heart aches for you, my dear friend.
ReplyDeleteLove!
HUGS HUGS. B
ReplyDelete