Friday 8 February 2013

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






28 comments:

  1. Hi Kimberly, how heartbreaking to lose both parents so close together.....Healing will take time I'm sure, we are here for you anytime you need us, Prayers you find some comfort, Hugs Francine.

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  2. I love that poem and memorized it in grade school.

    You will remain in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

    The Lord is good and will not leave you nor forsake you.

    Much love and hugs.

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  3. Kimberly, I am sending hugs to you. my heart hurts for you. I lost my parents too. I feel like an orphan...like you said, no more mommy hugs and dad 's good talks. It has been over 6 years and I still miss them so much. Your pain will ease but the longing never ends. Hug your g.babies, that helps. xoxo,Susie

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  4. I'm so sorry to hear about your Mom. I will be praying for your comfort and strength through the coming days. Hugs~Jeanne

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  5. It takes time to heal a grieving heart. Go ahead and let the tears flow. That's an important part of closing the chapter.

    God bless you, sweetie.

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  6. Hello dear Kim.. So sorry for you loss and such a loss.. Tears came to my eyes as I imagined how your heart feels.. As you say time will heal and you have your lovely memories.
    Praying God's peace for you..

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  7. I too have lost both of my parents. My mom just 4 years ago I have so many times I miss her painfully. She always called me at work on snowy days to tell me she made to much dinner would my husband and I have dinner with them. I am so very sorry for your loss.
    Cathy

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  8. Oh, Kimberly, I am SO sorry for your loss. I lost both my parents in 1999 and 2000 about 9 months apart. Everyone goes through it but it isn't easy even if you didn't have a great relationship...it all comes rushing forward when they're gone. It is the end of a chapter and I think you feel like the buffer you had between life and death is now gone....your generation is next. You're so right, there's so many different feelings that you go through. With me, it strengthened my faith and I was so glad I had gotten time to spend with them before they died. I didn't know you lost your Dad recently either. Thank goodness you have family. I was an only child and it made it especially hard. Take care sweetie...you're in my thoughts and prayers.

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  9. You expressed your thoughts beautifully. Hugs to you at this difficult time.

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  10. Oh Kim this post brought tears to my eyes. I know what a comfort it must be to know that they went without suffering. Believe me I have seen many suffer their way out, and it really is a blessing. I pray the Lord heals your hurting heart with His comfort! HUGS

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  11. This was my dad's favorite poem.

    Love the cold pictures.

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  12. Sweet Kimberly,

    'The Song of Hiawatha' is a beautiful poem from the heart featuring an indian hero. A very beautiful poem.

    I love the lakes of the upper peninsula, especially during the winter with the ice breaking, and the sounds. This picture outside of your front door is gorgeous.

    I'm sending you a hug from my heart ((((Kimberly)))). Right now you're going through emotions, and a deep love. Knowing your parents are together in each others arms in a beautiful place. They will be watching over you, and your siblings making sure everyone fulfills their dreams.

    Blessing,
    Sandy

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  13. I have so many emotions now. My mother is old but my grown children need me...

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  14. I am not there yet, but I totally get it! It seems as if life goes on forever and then you hit 50 and it goes way to fast. I don't think we are ever old enough to lose our parents. It seems bad to say, but how wonderful that they went together, but so hard on the family left behind!

    Carol

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  15. My Dad will be gone 10 years next Monday and I still miss hearing him call my name. I don't think that will ever go away. I love your photos today and I think they really describe so much about pain and loss and the hardness and the coldness of grief. How it just washes over and you never have any idea when it will strike. But joy does come in the morning just like it will be when spring returns.
    I think there is always the dull ache but it becomes bearable after awhile. I just think that in Hebrews 12 says it best about that great cloud of witnesses, and the longer we live the more of them we know by name and long to be with. Heaven becomes real and this life fades away.
    Then we will see face to face.
    I wake up praying for you and I will continue to do so. Keep taking pictures, Lake Gitche Gumee has always intrigued me. I tried to memorize that poem when I was in grade school because I liked the words.
    Blessings to you dear Kimberly,

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  16. Dear Kimberly, I am so sorry to just learn that your dear mother has passed away too. I don't know how I missed your last 2 posts. Please accept my sympathy as it must be very difficult to lose both your parents so close together. I'm glad they both knew the Lord and you will see them again one day. What a treasure and blessing to know this. Praying for the God of all comfort to wrap you in His loving arms and give you peace. Blessings to you my friend. Pam

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  17. I wish you all the comfort of your memories. The tears are cleansing, and some day soon you'll be able to look at the memories that will have you weeping with happiness.

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  18. Kimberly...you have said what I feel so clearly. Though I know what we are feeling becomes less frequent....it remains deep. It's as though we've lost our past with them, we haven't...we now are those who do the major hugging, loving and set examples of fine people.

    Just tonight I cried because I so wanted to call them. Better now, God has reminded me of the reunion that is to come. In the mean time....let's set some examples in love for those after us to follow!

    Hugs sweet friend....

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  19. Just found your blog-your post title caught my eye as I live on the Great Lakes (not the big one though). I've lost my father and my mother is elderly needing more help every day, so heartbreaking to lose a parent - peace be with you. ~*~Lisas

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  20. If it was up to me parents would age up to about 75 then begin getting three years younger every year until we are 75. About that time they would go on an adventure...a cruise, a course of study, something so fun that we would be happy for them to be away.
    I love my very elderly parents but so wish we didn't need to suffer the physical trials of old age.

    Praying for you as you adjust to your new chapter in life.

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  21. Dear Kimberly,

    Sending you deepest sympathy and loving thoughts.

    Sharon

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  22. I am so sorry for your loss, Kimberly. I was away from blogland for a few days and am just getting caught up on blog reading. Please accept my sympathies and I will pray that the Lord will bring comfort to you and ease the pain in your heart as only He can. Both of my parents are gone but the memories remain and it is a blessing to know where they are now and that I'll see them again some day as you will see yours, too. (((Hugs)))

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  23. So sorry for your loss Kim. I did not know that your mom had passed. My prayers for you sweetie. Praying God's comfort for you all.
    Beautiful pictures.
    Blessings

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  24. It's so sad to lose our parents, they were so front and center in our lives, now that part is over......things will never be the same again.. I miss my Mom and Dad.....

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  25. I am not sure what else to say but..I understand.

    chris

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  26. my heart goes out to you, it truly does, my parents died within months of each other as well and its such a shock, it takes time and I don;t think we ever really are the same, it changes us forever, you will heal, and I can't think of a more beautiful place to have that healing take place because in all of God's beauty that surrounds you your parents will always be with you, take care sweet Kimberly,

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  27. I deeply understand..completely!
    Sending a soft Hug..

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  28. This is such a difficult time for you, conflicting feelings, sadness, gratefulness, peace, hurt....
    Lovely photos that do seem indeed, to mirror your feelings.

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All of your comments are read and much appreciated.
You are dear and lovely friends!