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Topic: A Farewell Message -- 10th February 2006 (Read 489 times) |
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catchafallingstar
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A Farewell Message -- 10th February 2006
« Thread started on: Jan 29th, 2007, 03:14am » |
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To My Dear Ones ... a Farewell Message....
It has been a long and arduous journey -- these four score odd years -- enriched and chastened by a range of experience ---- from soaring to peaks of ecstasy and plunging to depths of despair, punctuated in between by emotions of varying intensity and events of varying significance......
I was born at the beginning of the last century in the aftermath of World War I on the 3rd October 1920. The devastation and the ensuing disenchantment were sought to be overcome by the creation of Moral World Order such as the League of Nations. Its realisation appears to be a dream and a quest that continues to be valiantly pursued - vide the United nations Organization, The International Court of Justice, Amnesty International and Various Human Rights Commissions.
However, smouldering resentment, retributive justice, clash of ideologies, and avarice for power through capturing the world's resources, has kept alive hostilities and engendered terrorism, ostensibly within geographical confines but global in their repercussions, eg.,the Chinese Civil War, the Korean War, the war in Vietnam and the Gulf Wars.
Travelling back in time, a panorama of a century that has just ended unfolds, revealing the stirrings of The Soul and the Ferment of the Mind that have churned up creativity. Overwhelming in their impact are the stupendous achievements in science and technology, the arts and philosophy, and exploration of the labyrinths of the psyche. Unique in this saga of human endeavour is the phenomenon of Information Technology with Knowledge Capital as an instrument of change with its potential for manifold applications in real life by providing access to information through connectivity which transcends the limitations of time and space. In this vast and awesome macrocosm I am a mere speck.
This flashback is not meant to have biographical or historical implications. It is an attempt to recapture the flavour of a past Era with which I have had a symbiotic relationship. What has more relevance and concerns me here is my life within my microcosmic world - a role which is by and large chance determined and "chance directed".
From childhood I have been fascinated by the myriad facets and endless diversity of Life. Its little Ironies, the twists and turns of Fortune, the quirks and foibles of human nature that produce kaleidoscopic shifts in patterns of human behaviour, have intrigued me. Awareness of the compulsive desire to care and share and the give and take of daily life have enlarged my understanding of things mundane. The joy of regeneration and fulfillment and its opposite, the trauma of bereavement- exposure to these has provided value added experience. This microcosmic world has had the power to illumine the depths of ones being.
As I near Journey's End I wonder when the road will bend to take me to an Unknown Destination - or what will be the manner or time of my Exit? It is no longer "hop skip and jump" for me. My faculties are wearing thin. Longevity is taking its toll- and I am learning to reckon with Reality.
(All the concepts which are looming large in my mind are capitalised)
Impelled by a stubborn survival instinct, I plod along my terrestrial track, when Father Time whizzes past. There is the flicker of a smile as he looks over his shoulder at me. He is racing headlong on his superfast highway to keep his date with eternity.
I have cherished the Gift of Life and am deeply thankful for all that and to all those who have helped to nurture and sustain it. As these innings draw to a close I wish you good luck and shall say goodbye while recalling this verse from Landor.
"I strove with none
For none was worth my strife
Nature I loved and next to nature art
I warmed both hand beside the fire of Life
It sinks ..... and I am ready to depart"
Footnote from Incognita(aka lovelyamazing aka Mayalakshmi):
When she wrote this and gave it to me to save on the computer, I was devastated.
"You're going nowhere!! " I declared.
"We're talking about when I finally go" she answered.
We arrived at a compromise and in the version of her message that I have before me, from which I created this post, the last line of the Landor poem was removed. The quotes were closed after the third line and I made her write
When it sinks I am ready to depart before signing it.
What you are seeing here, dear friends, is her original.
She was fully prepared and had made her peace with one and all. But an overpowering life-force swept over her one last time, when we both ran headon into Jake Gyllenhaal and Brokeback Mountain, and that led to the amazing last few months of her life... it was like getting one more chance to live life in ways she hadn't anticipated, to contribute some rare thoughts on the major issues of our times, and to gain and share some rare insights which carry a special significance coming from one with her wisdom and experience. It was like she received a bonus innings as a special gift, so that she could see some of what she may never otherwise have encountered - and also to depart with the confidence that she was leaving me with a entire global community of genuine, compassionate, sensitive human beings to nurture me.
When the time for her departure rather suddenly, unexpectedly came, she had to fight and struggle all over again to break free of her earthly bonds.
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| « Last Edit: Feb 20th, 2007, 05:12am by Incognita » |
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Don't let the past remind us of what we are not now.
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rnmina
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Re: A Farewell Message -- 10th February 2006
« Reply #1 on: Feb 3rd, 2007, 01:50am » |
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Dearest Lovely, I love you and your mom so much. Your footnote brought tears to my eyes. Her message is so beautiful and profound. As I read and reread what she wrote, I could feel her spirit emanate from the pages in front of me. I did not know how much I would miss her. I started crying when I saw the banner of the Gyllenhaal family, receiving the award from the ACLU. That award represents, what you and your mother believed in, and fought for here on earth...human rights
All ways and forever your friend,
love
mina
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dlc
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Re: A Farewell Message -- 10th February 2006
« Reply #2 on: Feb 3rd, 2007, 10:14am » |
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Lovely, what a beautiful, beautiful post and what a wonderful way to start this website. Your mom certainly lived a full and remarkable life. Her farewell message is wise advice to all those who follow her. We should all be so aware that our time here is limited, to be open to new experiences, and to make the most of whatever time we are granted.
You remarked that you would have to launch the forum and website by yourself on Feb. 14. But you are mistaken -- your mother will be right here with you all the way and her first/last post a "guiding light" to everyone who visits. Your cyberfriends will be cheering you on, and I look forward to visiting this site often! My very best to you!
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| « Last Edit: Feb 4th, 2007, 12:43am by Incognita » |
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Gulliver
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Cowboy or Prince, Jake is still the King. iwishiknew/Gulliver
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Re: A Farewell Message -- 10th February 2006
« Reply #3 on: Feb 3rd, 2007, 12:00pm » |
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Dear Lovely,
Reading your Mom's words made me pause to look back on my own life and times. I am not all that much younger than she so can relate to a some extent.
Sometimes I feel like I am just along for the ride, as it were, but know as she did so very well that we are here at this time and place because we are supposed to be. What we get out of it is up to us. With this loss that weighs heavily on you take heart that Mom took advantage of her opportunity to be here. The good and the not-so-good. How many of us can that be said of?
Your reference to her "extra inning" is so touching. Hemingway could not have expressed it better. For what ever reason this experience was needed or earned or whatever. And she was granted it. We know a little of what she did with it and you know it to the fullest. Let us all follow her example and grow from this inning on the Mountain we have been granted.
My wish for you is to feel joy of your life together replacing loss and I wish Mom a safe journey forward. You know to me Jack, Ennis and their Mountain are real in the way Love is real. In that sense she and Jack are there for you, to comfort and help you grow. Always.
love,
Gar
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meeooowww
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Re: A Farewell Message -- 10th February 2006
« Reply #4 on: Feb 3rd, 2007, 9:04pm » |
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Thank you for sharing both your sweet mother's and your message. I am touched to have had a small but meaningful connection with your Mum. And you sweet Lovely.
My thoughts are with you.
Jenny
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| « Last Edit: Feb 4th, 2007, 12:46am by Incognita » |
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paintedshoesmsncom
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Re: A Farewell Message -- 10th February 2006
« Reply #5 on: Feb 4th, 2007, 9:33pm » |
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Dearest Myalakshmi,
No one knew your mother as well as you, but...she was a woman of grace, fortitude and strength. How blessed we all were to have her in our lives for whatever time we were granted. Brokeback Mountain taught all of us that it is not the amount of time we have, but what we do with it that counts. Your mother did well, my friend. She did well.
Jackie
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Beckela
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Re: A Farewell Message -- 10th February 2006
« Reply #6 on: Feb 5th, 2007, 06:13am » |
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Such beautiful words all here. I cannot seem to find my own words, so I will quote another's describing the inevitable final journey we all must take.
from The Beauty of Death by Kahlil Gibran
Part Two - The Ascending
I have passed a mountain peak and my soul is soaring in the
Firmament of complete and unbound freedom;
I am far, far away, my companions, and the clouds are
Hiding the hills from my eyes.
The valleys are becoming flooded with an ocean of silence, and the
Hands of oblivion are engulfing the roads and the houses;
The prairies and fields are disappearing behind a white specter
That looks like the spring cloud, yellow as the candlelight
And red as the twilight.
The songs of the waves and the hymns of the streams
Are scattered, and the voices of the throngs reduced to silence;
And I can hear naught but the music of Eternity
In exact harmony with the spirit's desires.
I am cloaked in full whiteness;
I am in comfort; I am in peace.
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| « Last Edit: Feb 5th, 2007, 07:13am by Incognita » |
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I'm against a homogenized society, because I want the cream to rise.
-- Robert Frost
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blueyedboy
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Re: A Farewell Message -- 10th February 2006
« Reply #7 on: Feb 5th, 2007, 06:55am » |
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I think that is possibly the most wonderful and heartfelt thing I have ever read, I have been in floods of tears as I read and reread it.
She certainly was a lovely gifted lady...they broke the mould when they made her 
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PennQuaker
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Re: A Farewell Message -- 10th February 2006
« Reply #8 on: Feb 5th, 2007, 6:30pm » |
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Your mother was blessed in many ways during her years, not the least of which was having you as a daughter.
As I noted in another message, your mother was able to make me smile -- from tens of thousands of miles away, and not even being aware of me. This is a Herculean task even for those few who know me, and it speaks to her extraordinary degree of grace, wisdom and understanding.
Although she has departed our physical company, those blessings remain. I can feel them now. They will keep her safe, and in our thoughts -- and we, in hers.
I am ennobled for having known her, even if only through this artificial medium.
Much love,
PennQuaker
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| « Last Edit: Feb 11th, 2007, 07:31am by Incognita » |
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alex
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Re: A Farewell Message -- 10th February 2006
« Reply #9 on: Feb 6th, 2007, 07:24am » |
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I' don't find the right words to express the beauty of the last message of Lovely's Mum. In this particula momenti, I need to use my mother language, I'm sorry but I cannot use english now.
For those who know and love TS Eliot, the last words of The waste land seems to me very appropriate, considering the oriental reference they have
Shantih, shantih, shantih.
Alex
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Incognita
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Karanam - Kaaranam - Kartaa
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Re: A Farewell Message -- 10th February 2006
« Reply #10 on: Feb 6th, 2007, 07:29am » |
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on Feb 6th, 2007, 07:24am, Guest-alex wrote:I' don't find the right words to express the beauty of the last message of Lovely's Mum. In this particula momenti, I need to use my mother language, I'm sorry but I cannot use english now.
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I would be so happy if you could express it in Italian ... there will be people who understand
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Them Sacred Cows are no different from the Plain Ole Cows!?!
Taste the Meadow Muffins and you'll know
 ... Jake Gyllenhaal
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nms
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Re: A Farewell Message -- 10th February 2006
« Reply #11 on: Feb 7th, 2007, 10:48am » |
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Dear Lovely,
Thank you for sharing your mom's beautiful message, and yours as well. I must have joined the DC forum too late, that I didn't get a chance to speak with her. It's clear she was loved by many, with good reason. I liked what you said about the extra inning.  How wonderful that you both were able to share your love for Jake and BBM.
I'd like to add the poem I posted at DC for you. I'm glad that it brought you some comfort.
__________________
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 glints on snow.
I am the sunlight 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 circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there; I did not die.
-poem by Mary Frye (1932)
___________________________
Big hugs for you.
Nancy (thinkin_out_loud)
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CellarDweller115
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Re: A Farewell Message -- 10th February 2006
« Reply #12 on: Feb 8th, 2007, 2:04pm » |
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What a wonderful gift your mother gave us with this post!
Thank you for taking the time to let us all see it!
Much love to you!
Chuck
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| « Last Edit: Feb 11th, 2007, 07:32am by Incognita » |
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sunkissed
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Re: A Farewell Message -- 10th February 2006
« Reply #13 on: Feb 10th, 2007, 03:21am » |
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A beautiful, chord-striking, universal message that only Aunty could have written.
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jayceedee
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Re: A Farewell Message -- 10th February 2006
« Reply #14 on: Feb 11th, 2007, 06:57am » |
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Dear Incognita, did I ever tell you how in awe I am of your ability to be here, with all your cyber-friends, giving each of us time, who you don't really know... when you must be in the midst of an overwhelming grief? That shows a tremendous character. Not that I ever doubted it...
I read your Mom's message and was struck by her vision, both back and forward in time, and almost out of time. All of the things she has experienced and been a part of coming together as if in one point in time. But I think I most loved her personal statement, here:
"From childhood I have been fascinated by the myriad facets and endless diversity of Life. Its little Ironies, the twists and turns of Fortune, the quirks and foibles of human nature that produce kaleidoscopic shifts in patterns of human behaviour, have intrigued me. Awareness of the compulsive desire to care and share and the give and take of daily life have enlarged my understanding of things mundane. The joy of regeneration and fulfillment and its opposite, the trauma of bereavement- exposure to these has provided value added experience. This microcosmic world has had the power to illumine the depths of ones being. "
I feel this is very congruent with Jake's philosophy. He is truly IN every little moment of his life, WITH everyone in his presence, cherishing those moments; yet he can also appreciate the larger gift of nature and the divine that surround and inform all of those moments.
I think I better understand how your Mom and you connected so strongly with dear Jacob.
I hope your Mom, wherever she is on her journey, can connect with Jake now and bring him comfort during his period of struggle. Maybe in some way she is there for him.
Thanks again, dear one.
Love,
JCD. OXOX
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| « Last Edit: Feb 11th, 2007, 07:35am by Incognita » |
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