JADE GOODY

Gray · Post by **Gray** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 7:12 am

Marian

That is wonderful.

Gray

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 12:48 pm

Thanks Gray, I know lots of people help various charities out in different ways--this is our way of doing it-plus we get some enjoyment out of it too.

keithgood838 · Post by **keithgood838** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 1:20 pm

Heartwarming stuff, Mariana.
I'm reminded of the biblical quotation,
'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'
It comes from the Book of Acts, appropriately.
Keith

PS Mariana, please forgive this afterthought;
however, if your greetings cards concept
incorporates expressions of sympathy, please
feel free to use my few lines on the subject:

SOLACE

Sorrow's sojourn is always,
by definition, brief;
but comforting Memory stays,
and replaces grief.

Keith Good

Marian · Post by **Marian** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 10:04 pm

I worked in a hospice for seven years and it was a really bright happy place with a wonderful atmosphere.
I think I must beg to differ though Keith, sorrow is not often brief and a loved one can be grieved for for many many years.
Marian.

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 12:03 am

Thank you Keith for your kind offer---I had not thought of making Sympathy Cards, but I may include a few now.

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 1:50 am

From our experience there is a vast difference as to where you are better off spending your final days, weeks or whatever. Many hospitals may have a good reputation for treatment, but haven't the time or compassion that is found in a hospice.
Our local hospice also has voluntary helpers who are readily giving comfort to the patients and their families, always there and constantly offering them hot drinks, biscuits and snacks etc.
I agree with what you say about grief Marian, and although they say that time is a great healer.
Not so,.. not for all of us. There is just no alternative but to get on with ones lives.

keithgood838 · Post by **keithgood838** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 8:07 pm

Thanks for your comments, Marian. I think we should agree
to disagree; long-term grieving seems untypical, and intolerably
sad, to me. We lost my dear sister, Anne, to an inoperable
brain tumour at the comparatively young age of 42.
Our sorrow was soon replaced, however, by warm memories
and pride at the fortitude, and even humour, she displayed
at that depressing time. I like to think I might be able follow her
example in, heaven forfend, similar circ-umstances:

GOING AWAY

Death holds no Damoclean dread for me;
he is a travel clerk arranging flights.
The metaphor works save in the sense he
springs random departure days and nights.

When I am called to my eternal fate
I'll be a Christmas-morning kid once more,
I will walk wing-heeled through the numbered gate
and float along the snaking corridor.

Embarking as a passenger for Pleasure,
and reunions with loved ones and friends;
ahead of me ... days of fulfilling leisure:
the perfect holiday that never ends ...

I slip my seat-moorings with the ease
with which I left my anchorage since birth;
my Captain lets me wander as I please,
I take a lingering, last look at Earth:

I am humbled by a hanging sphere,
resplendent there in brown and green and white;
stretches of bright blue with each hue cohere -
a sharp-intake-of-breath exquisite sight.

In such a setting we should live in peace
through love as preached two thousand years ago;
that simple truth could make our anguish cease,
can we not see its incandescent glow?

Even if it is novel to portray
a villain in a sympathetic role,
when our time comes all we can do is pray
that he acts competently, on the whole.

Keith Good

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 12:05 am

Your poem really made me think, Keith-I thought it was quite amazing, and I know George would have appeciated it.

keithgood838 · Post by **keithgood838** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 1:32 pm

Thanks, Mariana, poetry comes into its own
when it deals with the human condition.
Spookily I was writing, and had completed,
the first few verses when I received a sad phone
call informing me that a favourite aunt, Jenny,
had died suddenly in Ireland.
Keith

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 12:44 am

Keith, really sorry to hear your sad news about your Aunt Jenny.

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 8:54 am

Our condolences too Keith, .so sorry to hear of your Aunt's passing.

john · Post by **john** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 11:16 am

Sorry to hear about your Aunt, Keith.

Marian · Post by **Marian** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 11:29 am

Condolences for your sad loss Keith.
Marian and Peter.

keithgood838 · Post by **keithgood838** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 7:23 pm

Hi everybody
I'm sure you caring people will be relieved to learn
that I am not suffering from recent bereavement.
My aunt, Jenny, sadly departed this dimension a number
of years ago. I thought you would be interested in her
connection to my verses entitled, Going Away.
My apologies for not making the matter clear, and my
thanks for the touching concern shown by the extended
Matt Monro 'family'.
Keith

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 11:17 am

We can see what you mean now Keith. Well at least your Aunt Jenny hasn't been forgotten.