Saturday, January 28, 2012

A Beautiful Light In The World























Received this email from my brother on Jan. 20th. about our friend, Catherine...


Hi all,

I wanted to let you know that Catherine is in intensive care at Morristown Medical Ctr. She has been diagnosed with Leukemia.  Rolf doesn't have a lot of information at the moment. He sounded exhausted. He did say he is very impressed with the medical care and they hope to determine the type of leukemia in the next day or two.  Right now they're trying to stabilize her. 

I'll keep you posted.
Love, Dave 


Then two days ago...


Hi all,

Catherine died last night at 10:25. I don't have anymore information at the moment e.g. Funeral. I will keep you posted. 

Love, Dave
 


It was very sudden. She was supposed to stabilize. Then we'd visit and she'd get better. We go along, mumbling about the toothpaste stuck in the sink, or the dog needing to be walked, or the checking account not up to par and then a sudden thing happens


and I am stopped in my tracks


I could be


drinking tea with a friend
moon-gazing
napping with my husband
calling to tell someone I love them


We all know this. I know this. And still I lean towards the worrisome places and dissatisfaction about my life as it is. 


still?


Dad says, 


Live with joyous ease and delightful uncertainty 


This is my daily practice. I fail often but keep trying.


What about... "or that it’s been decided that if you lie down no one will die."

-Robert Bly

What about that?

Catherine was 
a hugger 
a laugher
a magician with a sewing needle
a wife, mother, friend. 


A very kind and gentle woman.


She is a beautiful light in the world.


photo: courtesy of my brother, Rob, in California...





5 comments:

  1. Betsy... so sorry about your friend... so sudden... but, as always, what you write about here always touches me deeply. Catherine sounds like she will be dearly missed... when the world loses someone precious it stops me in my tracks too... thank you for bringing up what is most important to us all: each other ... much love, ann

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for sharing. And the timing, yesterday was her birthday. Up on this monday morning, looking at the sky, readying myself for work, thinking about the title of Mom's meditation book:

    The Promise Of A New Day. That's what we have today. Go gently.

    xo b

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