First Farewell

Now look in the mirror. Really look. Shes right there.

I know she is. I hope what she sees in me pleases her. Thank you so much for that beautiful image.

Nice write ... good luck GW ...

Thank you very much, dear Soledad❣❣🙏

I can't even imagine. It's difficult enough to grasp when you're an adult, which is likely why people suck at helping children to understand or say goodbye. I like the choice of "robbed" here and the lingering anger it represents.

Muchas Gracias, Paperstain! I am so pleased that you like my choice of "robbed." I agonized most over that word choice. I first considered, deprived and then bereft but, like you, felt that robbed encapsulates much better the heartache and anger of such a loss.

Dear GW,

The poem is so poignant I’m weepy. Your authors note is so accurate I’m angry. Back then diseases were whispered and death was never mentioned again after the funeral. The mystery and unanswered questions remain with me to this day and not ever being able to talk about it is maddening as well as achingly sad. H🌷

Merci Beaucoup chéri, Honoria! It seems we are kindred in our thoughts regarding the treatment of death and grief. Not only was death never mentioned after the funeral but also you mom. Consequently I have no memory of her alive.  We, her children, did not even attend the funeral.

Dear GW,

Oh I am terribly sorry. To not even get to attend the funeral...I’m sure everyone thought it was “for the best”. Or worse, the adage that children are resilient. Well, news flash! We aren’t. Living with this it’s like having a phantom pain sometimes. Or, rather, living in a parallel universe of thinking did this really happen? Once again, I’m very sorry for your loss and very grateful for your sharing this. For decades I’ve thought this was something bizarre only my family did. ❤️

And I am glad to connect with you in this regard. Did you lose a parent early in life as well? My dad is approaching that stage now but he's had the benefit of a long life. I know it will still hit me hard...it'll be like losing an anchor.

Oh, this is just deeply sad. It's shocking that we (as a society) could have been so misinformed about grief - I suspect the adults' discomfort with grieving made it impossible to help the kids with their own. I hope we're more enlightened now about that.

Excellent, sad write. ❤❤

Oh... This is so sullen and heartwrenching. I'm sorry to hear about your mother, Gahddess. The emotions in this are palpable and heartfelt 💔