Thursday, January 15, 2009

In Loving Memory

This is for Mom, today marks the one year anniversary of her passing. The following is a passage from my grandmothers book that I had read at my mothers funeral. The poem was used as well. I found both very fitting to be read at the services.

Sandra M. Estrada
January 11, 1945- January 15, 2008

Written by Jewell Bender;
It is right that we grieve for a time. The important thing is to realize that we are grieving for ourselves, for our sense of loss. We must never grieve for the deceased, because for him it is like a graduation from the material school to the college of spirituality. As long as we ourselves retain the breathe of life, our loved one is immortalized in the realm of our memories.
One of our Northwest Indian Chiefs is said to have written the following poem;

"Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you wake in the morning hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quite birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.
Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there. I do not sleep
."
-Anonymous

5 comments:

cw2smom said...

I am so sorry for the loss of your Mom! She was soooo young! I lost my mom way too soon as well, when she was just 58. It's so tough. We never stop missing them. Blessings to you, especially today! Lisa

LarryG said...

glad to see you keeping her memory alive and passing the love along.
I hope you experience her gentle presence in your spirit at just the right times.
Godspeed.

J-Online said...

What a beautiful tribute to your mother. I'm sorry for your loss.

Syd said...

that poem was read at my mother's memorial service. It is a wonderful statement. I'm glad that you are remembering your mother today.

Shadow said...

no matter how much time passes, we always remember, still feel the love. a beautiful tribute.