Winter on the Gitche Gumee

 

Excerpt from Longfellow's 'The Song of Hiawatha'

 

By the shores of Gitche Gumee,

By the shining big sea water,

 Stood the wigwam of Nokomis,

Dark behind it rose the forest,

Rose the black and gloomy pine trees,

Rose the firs with cones upon them;

Bright before it beat the water,

Beat the clear and sunny water,

Beat the shining big sea water.

Oh, it is so good to be home to my Gitche Gumee.

As many of you know I've just returned home from laying my Mother to rest. She passed in less than two months of my Father. Hard, yes.  I will miss her. It is such a blessing though to know she is happy now with Dad and that she went peaceably in her sleep.

After traveling for the last 25 years, two and three times a year to visit my folks, I informed my brothers and sisters it was now their turn to come and see me. I believe they understood completely.

I feel with Mom and Dad gone a chapter in my book of life has now ended. I don't really know any other way to describe it. I'm sure if you've lost both of your parents you'll understand what I'm trying to express.

My feelings are like the ice out in front of our house here on the lake-all jumbled and fighting against each other.

One minute I'm praising the Lord that they are now spending their time in eternity and that they went home without suffering. Then the next minute I'm crying because I'll never hear my Dad call me "Kimmie girl" again or be enveloped in one of Mom's welcoming hugs ever again. At least not until we are all reunited in heaven.

I know that as the sun melts the icicles, in time my pain will too melt away and then I will be left with just the many good memories. Until then I'll accept my tears as cleansing and healing....

Thank you to all of you who sent your kind sympathies and words of comfort. They were much appreciated and heartfelt.

Blessings to all-Kimberly