19 July is the first anniversary of my mum's passing, so we go to her
childhood home at Bilbarin and Corrigin in our wheatbelt to where her
ashes lay.
Comrades of Mine (the first verse of which you can read in the image below) is an Australian song that Mum remembered from her childhood and which she wrote in her memoirs, and which was read at her funeral 12 months ago. We scattered some of her ashes underneath this big tree near her childhood home at Bilbarin.
Words by Richard Baylis, Music by William G James.
CLAYDEN (Lois Edna): 30.07.1924 -
19.07.2012
One long lonely year since you left us so suddenly. My darling wife of 60 years. Missing you every day my love. Memories forever. Les
One long lonely year since you left us so suddenly. My darling wife of 60 years. Missing you every day my love. Memories forever. Les
I also found this lovely poem tonight -
Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there, I do not sleep
I am a 1,000 winds that blow
I am the diamond glints on snow
I am the sun on ripened grain
I am the gentle autumn rain
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled light
I am the soft star that shines at night
Do not stand at my grave and cry
I am not there; I did not die.
I am not there, I do not sleep
I am a 1,000 winds that blow
I am the diamond glints on snow
I am the sun on ripened grain
I am the gentle autumn rain
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled light
I am the soft star that shines at night
Do not stand at my grave and cry
I am not there; I did not die.
Anon, 20th century
Today - 30 July was to be my Mum's 89th birthday - I miss her.
I have only slipped into the next room
I am I and you are you
Whatever we were to each other, that we are still.
Call me by my old familiar name,
Speak to me in the easy way which you always used
Put no difference in your tone,
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow
Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word that it always was,
Let it be spoken without effect, without the trace of shadow on it.
Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same as it ever was, there is unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near,
Henry Scott Holland
1847-1918 Canon of St Paul's Cathedral
I'm sorry for your sadness and I wish you love and light today. The song and poem are beautiful - and a worthy way to remember lost loved ones. And, I'd be MOST surprised if your mum wasn't SO proud of you!
ReplyDelete"Where the great-roots twist and twine" ... great words by Richard Baylis ... no wonder why your Mother loved this verse.
ReplyDeleteI have just read and re-read your previous wonderful post on France .... Rachel Khoo's tv series was fantastic ... I made the Pamplemousse Tartlets for our French Classe term break-up and they turned out beautifully.
Beautiful post. Sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeletethank you dear friends for stopping by and your your kind words.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely tribute to your mum. I love the Australian Song she remembered from her childhood and that she got to lay beneath such a lovely tree.
ReplyDeletethanks Jan. When we went there at the weekend, it felt strange, like the poem says "Do not stand at my grave and weep, I'm not there". And I really felt that. But the tree is still a lovely place to go to
Deletesorry your Mum has passed away, gorgeous poem/way to remember her xx
ReplyDelete