The other night I was looking through old emails my Aunt Kathy sent me. I came across this one written on July 20th of last year:
Heather, It was great to see you this past weekend, and I’m happy things are progressing so well with Binky.
I had originally wanted to give you this poem for your birthday, but it wasn’t ready. Today seems like an appropriate time since as you said in your blog, you’ll never be better or over Maddie; I know there will always be a hole in our hearts and our family.
Love, K
So Brief
A golden haired sprite–
she
struggled
mightily
to take her place
upon the
stage.
Her arrival–
marked by
great applause and
unbounded love
from all
who saw her
smile as bright as
a thousand suns
and heard
the sweet
Christmas bell
trill of her laughter.
Now–
the stage is
dark. . .
she is
gone.
Each morning—
after sleep has
washed away the
painful memories of
loss,
I reach for her
finding only
the empty spaces
she once filled,
and when the
awful
silence
closes tightly around me–
I cry.
Sometimes–
I think I see her in
the glistening beams of light
dancing merrily
atop silvery ocean waves
or hear her
giggling softly
in the rustling leaves of trees
Her time upon the stage–
so brief
Our loss
so great.
It means even more to me now.
{ 72 comments… read them below or add one }
Simply beautiful x
Such beautiful words.
chills… beautiful, just so beautiful.
That is stunningly beautiful.
everytime i come to your blog late at night, i end up bawling. such a beautiful poem, and now even more meaningful. (((((hugs)))))) thinking of you…
xoxo,
erika
Thanks for sharing this with us. It is beautiful.
Oh wow, this is beautiful.
Wow. This brought tears to my eyes. Beautifully written by a beautiful woman. I am glad you have this treasure to help you remember not only your sweet Maddie but also your wonderful Aunt Kathy.
So beautiful, just like Maddie.
How nice. It says it all.
Oh, the girls in your family, such beauty. What a treasure!
Beautiful words.
It’s so wonderful that you had such a strong connection with your aunt before she passed. It certainly reminds me I need to make more of an effort with my own family. xo
What a beautiful poem! I am sure you have many condolences that mean a great deal to you. This poem is surely one of them. I am so glad for you that your aunt obviously never held back her love or support of you and your family. What a treasure!
Lovely people. We miss you Maddie & Kathy.
Your Aunt Kathy wrote so beautifully!
Beautifully, heartfelt written poem by a woman who was also a tremendously loving star in your life!
I feel your loss and send lots of hugs and solace.
Beautiful. What a wonderful Aunt. I’m sorry she’s gone but I’m glad she’s with Maddie. (Nothing like sitting at work with tears in my eyes!)
I believe in words. Especially the ones that come from the heart.
Oh wow, talk about bringing tears to the eyes.. That was so beautiful!!
Your in my prayers.
Oh my god. She is amazing. They both are. Your family is beautiful.
Beautifully written by a beautiful soul. I’m sure they’re looking down on you today, smiles on their faces, hugs in their arms and so much love in their hearts.
wow.
So beautiful and so perfect.
That is beauty in the form of words. Wow.
Love and hugs.
What a sweet poem – I’m glad you have it to comfort you during times like this.
Wow….this is an absolutely beautiful poem. What a commemoration for sweet Maddie.
Wow. that’s all i can say. so touching and beautiful. literally brought tears to my eyes. your aunt was clearly a wonderful woman and loved maddie very much.
Goosebumps!! Wow, that was so beautifully written.
((((HUGS)))) from Florida
Breathtakingly beautiful!!
So beautiful..brought tears to my eyes. I’m sure they are together now, dancing and playing.
that was amazing
What an incredible piece of poetry. As others said, I’m sure Kathy and Maddie are together in heaven. Very sorry for your loss.
What beautiful words from a beautiful soul. I am glad you have such tangible reminders of her love for you and Maddie.
Heather that is beautiful. It not rings true for Kathy as well and I know you’re family has suffered such great loss, but what wonderful memories you will hold for many years to come. I am so sorry for your loss. Your entire family, especially your mom, sister and uncle are in my thoughts and prayers.
Amazing, beautiful, heart-wrenching. Thank you for sharing, as always.
(((hugs)))
Such lovely words to describe such a gaping loss. Your family is so special.
Sending you a cross-country hug today – hoping to hug you in person at BlogHer on Friday.
Wow. So beautiful.
I believe that Maddie and Kathy are back on stage now, performing with the angels.
hugs.
It is so beautiful! Thank you for sharing it with us.
That was so moving, I got tears & chills & all choked up. So beautiful. What a gift.
You guys are the most delightful family.
So beautiful, raw and true. Out of all those who do not get it, she did and now, as she cuddles Maddie in Heaven….she always will!!!
Thinking of you my friend!
My Best,
Jenn
Beautiful poem!!
What a talented lady, and what a great loss. Thinking of you.
That is beautiful. What a wonderful treasure to have forever.
OMG, tears in my eyes and chills running down my arms! That was so beautiful, thank you for sharing it.
I’m sure your Uncle (Aunt Kathy’s hubby) feels the same way right now.
Warm thoughts and prayers always coming your way from Mid Michigan.
Wow, that was beautiful. Thinking and praying for you.
So beautiful, Heather. You have the most amazing women in your family.
I’m glad I read this today. I’m going to get my eyes fixed, lasik surgery. This brought tears to my eyes, made me think of my gram whom I miss dearly. But I also have renewed hope that my gram, your aunt K and your Maddie are all in Heaven and with each other. Aunt K and Maddie are sharing cuddles and looking down on you and Annie and Mike. Most importantly, I think Maddie was the first person she saw when she crossed over. And I can only imagine the joy she felt.
Much love to you Heather.
Heather –
Your Aunt K was truly an angel from heaven. The poem is beautiful.
So beautiful!
(((HUGS)))
Chrissie
what a beautiful and true poem.
Beautiful!!!
A beautiful, touching poem. What a very special woman your Aunt Kathy was. No doubt she is with Maddie now, their beautiful, sweet souls together, still loving you.
So beautiful! Your Aunt Kathy sounds like she was an amazing, kind and caring person. She must be holding Maddie and they are both still with you in your heart. ((HUGS))
your aunt was a beautiful writer, just like you….i cannot even imagine the pain you and your family are going through…just know that their memory lives on everyday through you, your daughter and the words you are kind enough to share with us every day, even through the hardest times. i hope you realize how strong you are….best wishes to you and your family….
So beautiful. Her memory will live on in all of us, just like sweet Maddie.
So true and powerful – and now I hope she holds Maddie – while they both giggle softly enough for you to hear as the trees rustle.
I saw this on a friend’s Caring Bridge site and it made me think of you –
Ask My Mom How She Is
by Auther Unknown
My Mom, she tells a lot of lies,
She never did before
But from now until she dies,
She’ll tell a whole lot more.
Ask my Mom how she is
And because she can’t explain,
She will tell a little lie
because she can’t describe the pain.
Ask my Mom how she is,
She’ll say”I’m alright.”
If that’s the truth, then tell me,
why does she cry each night ?
Ask my Mom how she is
She seems to cope so well,
She didn’t have a choice you see,
Nor the strength to yell.
Ask my Mom how she is,
“I’m fine, I’m well, I’m coping.”
For God’s sake Mom, just tell the truth,
Just say your heart is broken
She’ll love me all her life
I loved her all of mine.
But if you ask her how she is,
She’ll lie and say she’s fine.
I am here in Heaven
I cannot hug from here.
If she lies to you don’t listen
Hug her and hold her near.
On the day we meet again,
We’ll smile and I’ll be bold.
I’ll say,
“You’re lucky to get in here, Mom,
With all the lies you told!”
A beautiful poem….written by a beautiful lady.
Thinking of you and your family daily.
I know you miss your Aunt kathy but this is such a beautiful poem! I bet she’s reading books to Maddie now, teaching her to write just as well:)
Your aunt was a very talented woman. That is a beautiful poem. I think of you and your beautiful family every day. God bless.
That is really beautiful. ((HUGS))
I am so sorry for your loss….the hits keep coming….keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. Any news on the laptop? Wish I had a magic wand to change some rotten things in life.
What an amazing poem for an extraordinary little angel!
What a beautiful poem from an obviously beautiful person. What a loved little angel.
Wow, she was an amazing poet. What a wonderful woman.
What a lovely poem for a lovely little girl. I’m sure it is never easy to see the glass as half full when it comes to loss of a loved one, but indeed you were blessed to have Maddie at all, as evidenced by how much she touched the hearts and mind of all who knew her and even those of us who only knew of her. I still ache for you and your family.
Absolutely gorgeous.
A tragic poem, but it’s nice to know the poet is holding Maddie right now.
Beautiful! Brought tears to my eyes!
{ 1 trackback }