It’s literally seconds before Bobbi’s laughter cascades around us, lighting the patio like sun emerging from clouds. Its rays put in stark relief not what cancer has so clearly taken from her but, rather, how much of her it will never claim.
Holly, as one who has lost many friends, I met my grateful mourner self in this piece. I love the title. And that line about rejoining soil and seed and sun.”
Grateful Warner self. I love that. And thank you for loving the title. I thought of it right away, but then questioned it. So it means a lot that you liked it. ♥️
People say there's a difference between poetry and prose. This heartfelt piece suggests otherwise. Well said, Holly. Thanks for letting us in. I echo the words of those who commented before I did.
Jeff! Thank you. I’m letting this beautiful compliment sink in.
A wise woman (Rona Maynard) wrote about the wisdom of keeping a compliments file to look back on when you’re doubting or feeling down. This will certainly go in mine.
"After she was gone, I often felt her in the breeze, in its easy way of infusing anything it touched with dance."
And near the end,
"I wonder who I’ll visit and how after my body has rejoined soil and seed and sun."
As much as I love reflecting on theology, it is the beauty of the mystery that cannot be explained that keeps me coming back. A theology professor once told me the goal of his class was learning to say the least wrong thing about God. But as your writing shows, there is something more than trying to figure it all out. Faith, God, religion -whatever we call it - is a journey we take. We dance, fully participate, laugh, grieve, and tell the story of it. Thanks for your beautiful writing.
Just beautiful. I can picture each of these women—though I didn’t know them well enough—I knew them through you. Both then and now. You’ve always had an incredible way of reflecting and magnifying the light of the people in your life.
Oh, Kelsey. Now I am feeling a little misty-eyed. Thank you so much for saying this. I truly appreciate you reading and commenting. This piece is particularly close to my heart..
Wow, well done Holly. You did a brilliant job of bringing your friends to life and sharing what they meant to you. The description of your younger self followed by the last paragraph of how you’re showing up now are very powerful.
I love the prompt from Todd and you answered the call wholeheartedly.
Holly, I think I could read this 10 times and uncover a new layer each time. This is prose you can sink your teeth into, decadent and alive with emotion. Thank you for this gift today!
Oh, I love to hear that. I have certainly had the privilege and honor of having some very beautiful friendships in my life. And I don’t take it for granted. To connect deeply with and be seen my friends and loved ones is such a gift.
Oh, CK, I appreciate this so very much. Thank you for reading and for sharing. This piece is particularly close to my heart, and to know it touched yours too means a lot. ♥️
Holly, as one who has lost many friends, I met my grateful mourner self in this piece. I love the title. And that line about rejoining soil and seed and sun.”
Grateful Warner self. I love that. And thank you for loving the title. I thought of it right away, but then questioned it. So it means a lot that you liked it. ♥️
I had to look at this comment twice. Autocorrect got creative.
Dah. Grateful mourner self of course. :)
People say there's a difference between poetry and prose. This heartfelt piece suggests otherwise. Well said, Holly. Thanks for letting us in. I echo the words of those who commented before I did.
Jeff! Thank you. I’m letting this beautiful compliment sink in.
A wise woman (Rona Maynard) wrote about the wisdom of keeping a compliments file to look back on when you’re doubting or feeling down. This will certainly go in mine.
I so much appreciate you reading and commenting.
I especially liked this line,
"After she was gone, I often felt her in the breeze, in its easy way of infusing anything it touched with dance."
And near the end,
"I wonder who I’ll visit and how after my body has rejoined soil and seed and sun."
As much as I love reflecting on theology, it is the beauty of the mystery that cannot be explained that keeps me coming back. A theology professor once told me the goal of his class was learning to say the least wrong thing about God. But as your writing shows, there is something more than trying to figure it all out. Faith, God, religion -whatever we call it - is a journey we take. We dance, fully participate, laugh, grieve, and tell the story of it. Thanks for your beautiful writing.
Thank you, Todd! I am truly grateful for your prompt. It allowed me to write about something I had longed to put into words.
Ah, yes, the mystery. Perhaps that’s what most animates the dancing, laughing, grieving, and fully participating. Like an extra partner in it all.
Just beautiful. I can picture each of these women—though I didn’t know them well enough—I knew them through you. Both then and now. You’ve always had an incredible way of reflecting and magnifying the light of the people in your life.
Thank you, sis!! You do the same, and I so appreciate it. ♥️
Sitting in a cafe and trying to hold back tears. This was really beautiful ❤️
Oh, Kelsey. Now I am feeling a little misty-eyed. Thank you so much for saying this. I truly appreciate you reading and commenting. This piece is particularly close to my heart..
Wow, well done Holly. You did a brilliant job of bringing your friends to life and sharing what they meant to you. The description of your younger self followed by the last paragraph of how you’re showing up now are very powerful.
I love the prompt from Todd and you answered the call wholeheartedly.
Thank you, Donna. Your words mean a lot. And I so appreciate you sharing them. ♥️
Beautiful Holly.
Thank you, Jeanine. I’m much appreciate your support.
Your story reminded me of the 'God of the gaps' phenomenon.
That when we are unable to explain certain events with science, then a supernatural being must be responsible.
I thought about how many God scenarios/decisions come up in disease, life, death situations.
Points where our sense of justice or logic comes apart.
Where many then seek to fill up the gaps with a supernatural being.
But you don't search for sense or seek justice.
You're happy to leave the gaps gaping if they wish to.
Holly, this was beautiful. Not just the writing — which was fantastic— but also as a tribute to your lost friends.
I also really appreciated the ending, as it felt as though there was an acceptance, surrender, and sort of reverence to passing on.
Holly, I think I could read this 10 times and uncover a new layer each time. This is prose you can sink your teeth into, decadent and alive with emotion. Thank you for this gift today!
What a beautiful offering Holly. My heart took flight while reading….🕊️
Ah, Kimberly, what a beautiful comment. Thank you. ♥️
This is beautiful.
Thank you, thank you, Heather.
What a beautiful and touching piece of writing, Holly. Thanks for sharing this.
Thank you, Ben! I much appreciate you reading and commenting.
Such a fond and joyful celebration of your friends, Holly! Reading this, I really had a moment of empathetic gratitude for love and friendship. 🤍🕊️💮
Oh, I love to hear that. I have certainly had the privilege and honor of having some very beautiful friendships in my life. And I don’t take it for granted. To connect deeply with and be seen my friends and loved ones is such a gift.
Holly thank you for that glimpse into your life. You are precious.
Thank you, Aunt Syd! I very much appreciate you reading and commenting. ♥️
Choked up here. That was stunning. I miss those women too and I didn’t even know them. What a loss for this world and for you.
Oh, CK, I appreciate this so very much. Thank you for reading and for sharing. This piece is particularly close to my heart, and to know it touched yours too means a lot. ♥️