Friday, November 13, 2009

RE-DO OF CHATFIELD HOLLOW POST, GREENS, LAUREL AND PINE CONES- ALIGNED PICTURES. AND PLEASE REFER TO PREVIOUS POST FOR ALL OF THE WONDERFUL COMMENTS















It was a perfect day - a November wind was blowing beneath gray ominous sky - we walked proudly and with determination - the task before us - to gather enough greens, mountain laurel and pine cones for three potted Christmas season arrangements for three graves of three wonderful men - my Dad, my nephew, my brother-in-law - all resting in peace beneath the now very big tree up on that hill in Resurection Cemetery.


We have been walking though Chatfield Hollow for twenty five years now - ever since my Dad died. As I have shared - he, at age 17 was a member of the Connecticut Corp of Engineers and built all the bridges in Chatfield Hollow. One is pictured above!! Then 7 years ago - my sisters son Clayton died - and he was laid to rest one place away from my Dad. And next to him? His Dad - Kelly - who passed this past January. This year is the first year we had to gather enough greens and pine cones and laurel for three potted arrangements - and we did! :-) The finished arrangements ae pictured above. My sister Nancy has quite a talent for such artistry - as did my Dad - who was a florist by trade and passion although he drove trucks most of his life. Floristry was his gift and my sister has such a gift as well. :-)

Our Mom is pictured as well - walking happily along with her walker - I had my walker/rollator too! I, at one point, became so aware of how my mobility has changed since we first were walking this walk to gather our greens and cones and laurel. I felt tears of reality and we stopped and rested and we all hugged - the loving silence was so inspiring - energizing - we forged on up the grade to "our area" we always go too - pictured above of the deep pine trees with pine needles blanketing the earth. We gathered quietly - each aware of the other - knowing how blessed we are to be together this day - to remember honor - share - breathe - live and carry on. And we did. With walkers and tears, laughs and deep sighs, we carried on.

We went back to my Mom and sister's home and enjoyed a delicious lunch of quiche and salad and ginger ale. And we just spent time talking, remembering, believing, praying, loving, laughing, crying and sharing. The wind blew, the sky stayed gray - the air was sharp and biting - the trees almost naked - the leaves tossed about - and we stood firm - on a solid sacred ground of mothers-daughters-sisters - ever vigilant - ever loving - ever true - for all our days. Amen.










25 comments:

Cindy said...

Look at you go girl,, looks great, I like your blog list how you did it.
now you can teach me about the pictures. Tonight when I went to post mine the text all came up with a blue line under it...you said you had the same thing. Maybe I have forgotten everything I know. Take care, I am glad it worked out.

Eileen said...

Great job on the picture re-do!! I'm impressed!
They really are all so beautiful! And your Mom is adorable! And you look a lot like her too.

Your sister's arrangements are awesome! I'm going to steal her ideas.

Oh, I forgot to mention last time that I loved the song. I couldn't get it to work the first time, so I came back a second time and then it worked. 'Always loved that song! So perfect for your post too.

Thanks for all your kind comments to me all the time, Gail. 'Always so encouraging and uplifting, I appreciate it.
Love to you,
Eileen

Gail said...

HI EILEEN-

oh my, if you could have seen me struggling with how to re-post those pictures in some type of order. :-)
and that song is one of my favorites. When my Dad died I will remember always that a friend of mine wrote the lyrics out in a card. it touched me so.

Love you bunches -


HI CINNER -

Teach you? oh my!!...... lots of steps, for sure. One thing is for the alignment of them and following Wanda's directions I kept the position on center and posted the last picture first and it appears in the blog in the right place. Good Lord. :-)

And the blue line? I had to start a new post to get rid of it and re-set the font settings.

Love you my friend


peace to you both
Gail

Comrade Kevin said...

There's always been something calming about the gloom of this time of year that others find intolerable.

Gail said...

Hi Kevin-

oh yes, I hear so often how people have depression this time of year and I am quite the opposite. I feel calm and soothed and quietly alive and well.

So good to see you
Love Gail
peace....

Unknown said...

I can see why you are calm, this is a beautiful post. thanks gail.

Mark said...

Another wonderful day and adventure! You are doing great! Thanks for sharing.

Gail said...

@MARK-

so nice to see you here. And yes, you are right - all things considered I am doing great.
Love to you



HI JOEY

How are you? For the most part, I am calm - fussing is exhausting. :-)
Peace and love

Wanda..... said...

You are a quick learner Gail...I noticed the new photo of your sister and the lovely autumn trees behind her. Have a joyous peaceful Sunday Gail!

Luv and Smiles,
Wanda

Gail said...

HI WANDA -

you and Cinner both helped. I did as you advised and loaded the pictures in the center with the last first. And I loaded them after I copied the post into a new post. phew.
You have a lovely Sunday too.

Love Gail
peace.....

anupama said...

Dear Gail,
NAMASTE!
First time here.I enjoyed stopping you.love and hugs to your so sweet MOM!She looks great!
photos are good n i believe winter is in full swing.
happy blogging n wonderful floral arrangement!
MAY THE DEPARTED SOUL REST IN PEACE!
I really appreciate the love in your family.
wishing you a great sunday,
sasneham,
Anu

Gail said...

HI ANUPAMA-

I am so glad you stopped by - welcome! :-)
And I am glad you enjoyed the love you found here. I look forward to getting to know you.

Love Gail
peace.....

Gail said...

Hi Giggles-

"thanks"

Love to you
Gail
peace.....

Rose Marie Raccioppi said...

"TURN TURN TURN" - each word turns time back and to the present, each special occasion, a yesterday and a now in celebration. You give each yesterday, each now such depth of purpose and love. I, by your side in such a heartfelt family time together. Thank you for inviting me.

Gail said...

HI ROSE MARIE-

Oh my, I love that you are by my side sharing - experiencing - feeling - seeing. There IS a place for you.

Love Gail
peace........

Grizz………… said...

Chatfield Hollow looks like a lovely place. And those arranged pots of the stuff you've all lovingly gathered couldn't be prettier—or more meaningful. It is such a wonderful, familial gesture, a personal tradition straight from the heart. An honoring and remembrance that has been carried out between women and their men throughout the ages.

I think this is a great post.

Gail said...

HI BRIZZ_

Thanks so much. Your expressed appreciation of my world means a lot to me. t is a time honored loving tradition -

Love to you my friend
Gail
peace.....

TheChicGeek said...

Now is that your sister in the bottom pic, Gail :)) Beautiful pictures for a beautiful day with beautiful women...ahhhhh :)
Love to You, Gail :)
Kelly

Gail said...

HI KELLY-CHIC GEEK

Yup, that is my older sister :-) She is a sweetheart and I love her so much. And yes, it was a beautiful day with beautiful women.

Love you
Gail
peace.....

Jackie D. Rockwell said...

Dear Gail.. Before I read your recent touching post, and before I read your recent loving comment on my post, I was thinking of you. So.. I dedicated this post to you:

http://jackiesmagic.blogspot.com/2009/11/dear-gail.html

Many Blessings & Much Love,
Jackie

Gail said...

HI JACKIE-

I am honored and humbled. Truly, I am. "Thank you"

Love to you
Gail
peace.....

Gail said...

HI JENN-

Thanks you so much. It is really nice to see you. :-)
Love Gail
peace.....

cordieb said...

How glorious, Gail! I believe God gives woman a special gift of strength that overshadows physical strength in a most powerful manner. This post reinforces that belief. Thanks for sharing, my spiritual sis. Peace, Light and Love, C.

Gail said...

HI CORDIE-

"thank you" SO much for your kind words to me. And I love that you called me your 'spiritual Sis'... I am honored.

Love to you
Gail
peace....

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