As you are preparing for Thanksgiving,
That annual day when THANKS is clear,
Don’t forget to put an extra chair
At your Gratitude Table this year
Who will you imagine to be at your empty chair this year?
See ya later.
Today is my mom’s birthday. She’d be 104 today. I woke early and was greeted by this gorgeous sunrise peeking over the beautiful Madison Range.
As I zoomed in on it, it became more vibrant.
Orange was my mom’s favorite color. Good morning, Mom! I see you smiling down from heaven. I remember your best days, and set aside the years when Alzheimer’s robbed you of the sparkle, the tenacity, and the wisdom that marked your best days.
Always involved in activities, Mom loved the Rebekahs (female branch of the Odd Fellows), and her bridge club, which weekly met in our living room. Even into her 80’s she loved her 20-Ands Club. She represented a lot of “Ands.” She was an impeccable dresser, beautifully groomed. Managed always to stay fit. She was probably the person who invented the “Selfie”!!
I wrote this poem on December 18, 2004 with Mom in mind. I used phrases she spoke in her last weeks on earth. She was big on giving orders – right up to her last days – even telling God when to take her “home.” She died the day after I composed this, on December 19th.
Before I leave this earth
I have a few requests
Listen up, my dears,
Tomorrow there’ll be tests.
Take my diamond necklace
And convert it into cash.
Use it for my funeral,
Then live life within the dash.
It’s too late for me, friends,
To change the things I’ve done;
But you have time to listen
And teach others of God’s Son.
“The Dash” is all the years
Between birth and when you die.
Those in-between years
Are where your stories lie.
Take my gold and silver,
Go out and help the poor.
Make amends for all the years
I lived from store to store.
Take my many angels,
Give them to folks who are
Ill, hurting, or lonely.
Tell them about the star:
The star of Bethlehem that
Was where the angels went
To see the newborn baby –
Our Lord from Heaven sent.
Take my many clothes and find
Folks who are in need.
Take the food that I have stashed.
Go to the hungry. Feed!
Take my shoes and slippers.
Take them all and give
Them to the cold and homeless.
Help them to warmer live.
Take my chairs and tables,
The lamps and bedding, too.
Give them to a Home or Mission.
They’ll help out quite a few.
Then look around your house, friends.
And see the excess treasure.
Take it to the needy.
You’ll be blessed beyond all measure.
Live your life within the dash
In loving generosity.
Before you leave this earth,
Reach out in pure humility.
Take your gold and silver.
Go out and help the poor.
God will bless you richly, and
You will never want for more.
And we did give most of her angels away – my friend/former student, Lorei, hung them with a note on the doorknobs of the other residents at her care facility where mom lived. Mom had dozens of angels in her collection! And, we gave her clothes and other “stuff” to the people and places that could use them.
However, I have a few of her angels in my “Sanctuary” upstairs. My maiden name is “DeAngeles” (translates to “of angels” – in Italian). Mom lives in me… and today I celebrate her sunrise, her best qualities, and the gifts she instilled in me: self-confidence, unconditional love, tenacity, and a love of poetry.
Happy Birthday, Mom!
I am “Living in the Dash” just as you taught me.
What qualities did your mom instill in you??
Have a blessed Friday, my friends.
See ya later.
In the center of this photo is Marcelle Zufferey. To her left is her dear daughter, Sylvianne, who wrote the tribute below. On Marcelle’s right is her beautiful granddaughter, Lorianne.
Family Connections
Sylviane (we call her Syli) is our “Swiss Daughter.” She lived with us for a year in California when she was 17 or 18. The next year our daughter, DeDe, went to Switzerland for a year and lived in Syli’s family. Marcelle was such a loving, compassionate guide. Our daughter fell in love with Syli’s cousin, Andre’ (who became our son-in-law)… and to say De needed guidance is putting it mildly! God bless Marcelle and her husband, Antoine, for their loving understanding.
This last couple of years Marcelle has been in a care facility. That dreaded disease, Alzheimer’s, captured her memory and her health. Syli was there to spend quality time with her almost every day.
The Tribute
DeDe’s “Swisster” wrote this tribute to her mom in French (her native language). It was translated by Facebook and posted today. Some of the words may be translated strangely, but the beautiful sentiment is clear:
“Mom… you went to join dad this afternoon on his birthday.
I was able to accompany you to your last breath.
Thank you for giving us so much love.
For passing us through your eyes and your beautiful smile the meaning of family, respect and love.
You are part of the love of each of us.
From up there with dad you can be proud …
We had the extraordinary chance to have you as parents.
For having you as a mom, grand mom and great grand mom.
You are in my heart my little mom, I love you
And even if i will miss your beautiful eyes and your smile deeply, I know that now you don’t suffer anymore and that with dad you are forever present in our hearts.”
An Acrostic
I wrote this acrostic today as my tribute to this special lady… remembering her as she will always live in my heart:
M arvelous
A wesome
R adiant
C ompassionate
E mbraceable
L ovable
L oyal
E ndearing
Rest in peace, Marcelle. I love you.
Will you write an acrostic using your name and describing yourself? I’d love to see it. Mine would be:
J oyful
A nimated
N atural (or maybe “Nutcase”??)
See ya tomorrow. Have a good night.
I danced in the morning
While the moon lay low
I danced at the sunrise
While the winds began to blow
I danced in the noontide
When it started slow to snow
And I danced in the evening
In the sunset’s glow
Dance, dance,
Wherever you may go;
Dance and spread love
To everyone you know.
Dance, dance with a joyful heart –
Go, dance now… it’s a good time to start.
Marcelle Zufferey is dancing in Heaven with her husband, Antoine, today!
Today is Antoine’s birthday!! He went to his eternal home a couple of decades ago. Marcelle suffered this last couple of years from that awful disease, Alzheimer’s, that robs us of our minds – our memories. But, right to the end, she was that beautiful, blue-eyed mother who gave her children everything they needed for a full life. She is the mother of our 1980-81 AFS student, Christian Zufferey, and his sister, Sylviane, who lived with us for a year in 1983-84. Our daughter DeDe, married their first cousin, Andre’. That’s why DeAna is a Swiss citizen and our 3 grandsons were born and raised in that beautiful country. We owe Marcelle a deep debt of gratitude! Our hearts go out to the Zufferey and Solioz families today, as we mourn their loss. But we know they are faith believers … and they recognize God’s perfect timing in this earthly departure.I can play a Swiss polka today … and celebrate the reunion of Marcelle and Antoine.
Dance, my friends. Heaven awaits, and God’s timing always is perfect!
See ya tomorrow.
Beautiful Things
Are sometimes visible things;
Most = Invisible!
This Persian’s pretty;
Her purr’s the absolute best –
And the love she gives.
These roses are grand,
But their fragrance is the best;
And their “giver” too!
This bird is gorgeous,
But its song is the greatest –
And its Creator!
This scene’s amazing;
But the peaceful feelings here
Are magnificent.
Adorable child –
She’s so beautiful to see,
Her trusting heart’s best!
The cake’s impressive,
But memories are more grand.
Beautiful moments!
(By the way that’s us: Bob & Jan… 57 3/4 years ago)
The moments, feelings,
The sweet smiles and the laughter –
That’s where beauty lives.
Life’s luxuriant
When people and places reign.
Beautiful visions!
Thank you for being
A beautiful part of my life
In my WordPress World.
You add JOY by your presence.
The Trinity – My Motivation
Looking around for motivation I see
A glorious cross looking back at me.
Its stem and crossbars represent
The trifold Diety – the trinity.
This unique symbol of my faith
Was a gift from a student dear to my heart.
He created it as a thank you to me last year —
That was nearly 50 years since we had our start.
He was my kindergarten student
When I began teaching in 1961;
And I was so enamored with him
That in 1965 I used his name for my son.
.
Now, some 50+ years later,
He and his wife came to visit us here
In Montana where we’ve retired.
His thank you cross keeps him here – ever near.
Do you have folks from your past
Who remain ever near in your heart?
If so, have you reached out to them lately?
Do it now! It’s never too late to start. .
Have a good night… And a wonderful weekend.
Tell me about someone who has remained near to your heart for as long as you can remember!
See ya tomorrow.
Today we are headed to a party at the home of my friend, Carol Orr. She is the 95 year old that I wrote about in this blog last year: via 95 Years of Life Lessons
Carol went to her heavenly home a month or so ago… and today her family and friends are gathering to remember her love and share some of her wit and wisdom. Tomorrow is her memorial service.
Click on the link to “95 Years of Life Lessons” above and enjoy Carol’s wit and wisdom with me. Such a bright, “with-it”, fun-loving, kind friend! I miss her!
Hugs to You !!
Inspire to Love
Let the SonShine!
You inspire me to respond
Learning to Live; Living to Learn; Learning to Love; Living in Love
Written
on July 28, 2019