Beautiful, peaceful
I spent my morning contemplating peace. Just that. I left that space and time feeling more…peaceful. Thank you, sound. Thank you, friends. Thank you, world.
Before I came to be in the company of friends who would support me in the search for peace and beauty, I sat in my car in an old neighborhood of our town. I needed a few moments to myself. A few moments where I could take in the colors of autumn, the sounds of leaves falling from trees. I was gifted with colors and sounds that I rarely take time to notice.
Even when I don’t write here for a few days or more, people who’ve lost loved ones, write to me. They’re looking for others who know their pain. I know their pain. And, I don’t. Because, their pain is their pain. I only know what losing Owen is like…what it’s like to lose my mom, my dad, my relatives, my friends. I also know how beautiful and peaceful losses such as mine can become. Huh? Yep, I wrote that. Because, it’s true. I don’t want it to be true, but it is.
I wrote this post on November 8, and couldn’t post it. I can now.
It’s time to share some of Owen’s writing. Oddly (and not so), I’m posting this on November 22 – my dad died 43 years ago today. We handed out the poem below at Owen’s funeral. He would have liked that.
All the Sea Soaked Songs
Black dogs on
skeleton sills
holding orchids
in their teeth
red naked tulips dancing
on some sheer walls of reality.
~ E. Owen Riley
Song for the night: Moonlight Sonata, Ludwig van Beethoven (One of Owen’s favorite classical pieces. He loved the movie, Immortal Beloved.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQVeaIHWWck&feature=related
Thanks for sharing Owen’s poem. I know how personal one’s own writing is, and I feel honored that you chose to share your son’s work with us. Thanks!
lINDA, I am 1 that enjoys reading your blog for inspiration.Unfortunatly i still havnt moved nuch from my dark pit , but you are an inspiration. Thinking of you, OWEN, & your family always.Love & peace.Sandy SHANES Mom
” I also know how beautiful and peaceful losses such as mine can become. Huh? Yep, I wrote that. Because, it’s true. I don’t want it to be true, but it is.”
Wow!! Linda…
This is a great place to be. I don’t know if it is the same for you, but I really feel a warm comfort thinking of ones that have passed. I have some very close relations [brother firemen, niece] that have passed and although not even close to a child passing, still the bond is there. The anger, sorrow, etc. that goes with all this is still there. In a drawer; I ca let it our at any time and I do. But I do better when I feel the love and warmth and good times and great memories…it’s like taking a drug that changes the pain but makes you feel warm and OK. It doesn’t take the pain away, but you can deal with it in a more positive manner. I don’t know if I relayed my feelings well enough her to make you understand what is in my head, but I feel the beauty and peacefullness also.
Happy Thanksgiving…those that have left us gave us so much to be thankful for!!
Bob