Josie's dying

[jardinero]

quote:

---

No knowing how to play guitar, Dau. and I put bread on some boxwood shrubs outside her window to attract songbirds.

---

You are so very sweet, Plots (and dau) you're making me cry.

J.

[Plotinus]

Sally sent me this, this morning:

quote:

---

Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,

Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,

Silence the pianos and with muffled drum

Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.

Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead

Scribbling on the sky the message He Is Dead,

Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,

Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.

He was my North, my South, my East and West,

My working week and my Sunday rest,

My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;

I thought that love would last for ever: I was wrong.

The stars are not wanted now: put out every one;

Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun;

Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood.

For nothing now can ever come to any good.

---

[Auden]

Josie passed away at 5:15 this morning.

[jardinero]

...and may she rest peacefully until she meets her Lord....

(((((((((Sally))))))) ((((((((((Plots & Family)))))

J.

[suz]

I have missed your words of wisdom my dear friend Plot. I know your heart aches with the loss of a dear friend, her memory can live in the hearts of those who knew and loved her like you and of course Sally.

I am sure you will be doing her service, and I know it will be a hard one for you. I would love to hear (if you do this at your services for those who die) stories of Josie's impact on other peoples lives. I am guessing her history is rich and full of love and grace, as she was with you I am sure there are many who have tales to tell.

No more pain or suffering and now she rests.

love,

suzie

[Linda Z]

Plots, my sincere condolences.

Thank God she had the love and care of Sally and you and your family until she left this life to await one better than we could imagine.

Sounds to me like she lived with grace and departed in the same fashion.

[krys]

I'm so sorry Plots. Please accept my condolences too. I wish I could have known her, it seems we could have been good friends.

krys

[laleo]

Hey Plot. This is from the last of T.S. Eliot's Four Quartets, a section he calls Little Gidding, named after an ancient religious community in England. Parts (or maybe the whole thing) will be familiar to you.

quote:

---

We die with the dying:

See, they depart, and we go with them.

We are born with the sea:

See, they return, and bring us with them.

The moment of the rose and the moment of the yew-tree

Are of equal duration . . .

With the drawing of this Love and the voice of this Calling

We shall not cease from exploration

And the end of all our exploring

Will be to arrive where we started

And know the place for the first time.

Through the unknown, remembered gate

When the last of earth left to discover

Is that which was the beginning;

At the source of the longest river

The voice of the hidden waterfall

And the children in the apple-tree

Not known, because not looked for

But heard, half-heard, in the stillness

Between two waves of the sea.

Quick now, here, now, always --

A condition of complete simplicity

(Costing not less than everything)

And all shall be well and

All manner of thing shall be well

When the tongues of flame are in-folded

Into the crowned knot of fire

And the fire and the rose are one.

---

Peace to you and yours, Plot.

[satori001]

Josie

We're gonna break out the hats and hooters

When Josie comes home

We're gonna rev up the motor scooters

When Josie comes home to stay

We're gonna park in the street

Sleep on the beach and make it

Throw down the jam till the girls say when

Lay down the law and break it

When Josie comes home

When Josie comes home

So good

She's the pride of the neighborhood

She's the raw flame

The live wire

She prays like a Roman

With her eyes on fire

Jo would you love to scrapple

She'll never say no

Shine up the battle apple

We'll shake 'em all down tonight

We're gonna mix in the street

Strike at the stroke of midnight

Dance on the bones till the girls say when

Pick up what's left by daylight

When Josie comes home

When Josie comes home

So bad

She's the best friend we ever had

She's the raw flame

The live wire

She prays like a Roman

With her eyes on fire

When Josie comes home

So good

She's the pride of the neighborhood

She's the raw flame

The live wire

She prays like a Roman

With her eyes on fire

Of course, I didn't know her, but these lyrics describe a woman in love with life.

[ex10]

Dear Plots

Having been with some of my beloved ones when they left this life and experienced the transition to whatever lies next, has so changed me. As this experience has changed you.

I can't think of a better way to leave this life, than being surrounded by those that love and care, and have meant so much. I hope and pray that we have the same passing as your beloved Josie. You did well by her, and her loved ones, dear.

[notinKansasanymore]

What an inspiration this thread has been to read! God bless you, Plot, and God rest Josie.

[Plotinus]

Laleo and Satori,

What wonderful gifts!

I'm passing both along to Sally.

Geo., the Haiku too.

Satori, that album is healing. I'm going to play it today.

Laleo, I re-read the Quartets when they were included in Philip Zaleski's list: "100 Best Spiritual Books of the Twentieth Century."

http://www.spiritualityhealth.com/newsh/it.../item_6545.html

[i've read or re-read 8 of these since the list came out. Currently enjoying Yeats and Smith.]

Thanks guys!

Josie's funeral is Monday at 10.

[ChattyKathy]

Plots my heart does goes out to you and to yours.

I know I interrupted your thread some when I saw it due to the fact it was my sisters name. Of whom I had lost.

I hope it okay that I'm interrupting yet again to say that song given to your Josie was my sister "Josie's" favorite song. (and Steeley Dan her fav group)

I just can't seem to stay away from your thread.

Godspeed all of your hearts healing.

[laleo]

I just recently read the Quartets, too. That last Quartet is my favorite. I think Eliot once said it was the best of his poetry, so maybe that's why I tend to agree. He should know, right? Also, I think it's interesting that a failed religious community became his muse.

I printed your book list, although I haven't been reading much lately. Looks interesting, though.

Let me know what you think of Yeats when you're done. My favorite Auden is his elegy to Yeats.

[Plotinus]

Kathy,

I was moved by your sharing about your sister, Josie. What a start it must have given you to see the title of this thread!

Laleo,

Thanks for the Auden. His poetry is awesome.

My kids enjoyed "Miss Gee" last year. Though, upon being reminded of it, my daughter just pronounced, "That was SO creepy!"

[Plotinus]

Kathy,

I was moved by your sharing about your sister, Josie. What a start it must have given you to see the title of this thread!

Laleo,

Thanks for the Auden. His poetry is awesome.

My kids enjoyed "Miss Gee" last year. Though, upon being reminded of it, my daughter just pronounced, "That was SO creepy!"

http://www.cs.rice.edu/~ssiyer/minstrels/poems/1298.html

[ChattyKathy]

Thank you Plots. She was the most precious thing. I have thanked God countless times I had the honor to be her sister. She would have liked you Plots. Your thread means more to me than I could say. Thank you for sharing it at such a tender personal time in your life.

[Eagle]

God Bless and protect Josie from now on and God Bless Plots. They will meet again.

[dmiller]

Amen, Eagle.

My condolences to you too, Plotinus. :(-->