Saturday, January 24, 2009

"Stew Ball"

And so it was. They turned the hospital bed to face the window facing East one Friday morning - January twenty-third. It was barely dawn as she and their two sons gathered that morning around him. And as days begin - the sun did rise upon them. This day was special - it was his last sunrise. His favorite music played in the back ground, Peter, Paul and Mary. And so the sun rose, and the music played on...............He died later that day - his most favorite Peter, Paul and Mary song was playing . - "Stew Ball." His breaths were shallow and few and as love surrounded him, music filled the room, his final breath was strong and determined and as his body surrendered the music still played, the sun remained risen....................his wife of over forty years quietly said "I love you - rest now." Most of what was said was in whispers..............
I laid my head on his chest and for a while I covered him with cascading hair and tears - I whispered - "I love you Kel." The music played on...............'Blowin In The Wind, '500 miles', 'Stew Ball', 'Lemon Tree', a Jewish final prayer was sung to him. His body stayed warm - giving back what felt like love and essence to those surrounding him. The love in the room was bigger than death.

Rest now Kel, rest...............................

Love Gail,
peace.....

6 comments:

PENolan said...

I noticed your first post this month, "I was lost and now I am found," and thought about everyone trying to soak up the last of Kel's warmth - love - as he passed on. The scene says so much that I can't even grasp all the intricacies swirling around. Something seems right, though.
Blessed be.

Gail said...

Hi Trish-

"thank you",a million times,
thank you".

And something WAS right, so much, so very right, indeed.

The 'intricacies' are fluid and many, I can't even hold on to every one and I was there. One that just came back to mind is of Kel's younger boy, holding his Dad's feet while saying, "I love ya 'Dad-man' "

and so it goes.........

Love Gail
peace.....

NAVAL LANGA said...

Ms. Gail

You write that : I laid my head on his chest and for a while I covered him with cascading hair and tears - I whispered - "I love you Kel."

Yes, that is the thing we the humans can give to others, the love. But our beloved remain always in our memory.

Naval Langa

Gail said...

Hi Naval-

Yes, always and forever.

Love Gail
peace.....

Kartz said...

My sincere condolences...

I understand how it is when someone we love passes on. You have to be strong, and I pray you are a tower of strength - moral and physical - to your sister and her children.

Peace. Be well.

Gail said...

Hi Kartz-

"thank you" for your words of understanding. I am strong because I am not afraid to be weak and gather from those closest to me to gain strength. It is an amazing circle of flowing energy.

Love Gail
peace.....