Oma L
When I die, I wish it would be just like how Oma L did: uneventful, undramatic, simply slipping away from the reiteration life has become. She lived a full life of more than 80 years, survived by three daughters, half a dozen grandchildren and more great-grandchildren than most of us will probably ever live to see. She had a harmonious relationship with a husband whose memories still prompted a wayward tear and whose watch she still wore long after the hands have stopped ticking. To her last day, it was how she wished it would be: in her own home, in the neighborhood that has known her for decades. Not in the hospital, not in a home for the elderly. She had her wits about her til the last moment, comparatively fit and healthy. She was not sick, she just spent lovely days with her children, individually and all together.
Of course, it was a loss. And we will miss her. But how can you grieve the passing of someone whose life has been lived to its fullest? How can you not let her go, when she herself has been ready, no longer expecting more from Life? What more can one ask for?
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8 Responses to “Oma L”
May 8th, 2006 at
that is a beautiful piece. you should show S. great for a eulogy.
May 8th, 2006 at
Death should be beautiful like that.
May 8th, 2006 at
We grieve because we loved so much. Grief is inevitable. Misery is optional and we have choices on how to grieve. Grieve while letting go of the physical connection. or Grieve in a misery pit.
May 8th, 2006 at
i grieved at the loss of my son whom i never got to meet, what more with someone whom i’ve known and have been kind and loving like Oma. on the other hand, it’s easier to accept her eternal rest because we know that she lived a beautiful life and left peacefully.
May 8th, 2006 at
how very poignant, ruth. Oma must have truly lived a beautiful life for you to have been inspired to write such a beautiful homage. i’m sorry for your loss.
May 8th, 2006 at
AnP: thanks. am not sure if there will be eulogies, though.
Glo: I can only wish mine be the same.
Noemi: what is grief? anguish? deep intense sorrow? i can imagine feeling those if i were in your shoes, but in the case of oma, yes, i am sad, but i can’t say i am grieving. sadness maybe is, but grief is NOT inevitable.
justice: like what i said, i feel sadness, yes. loss, yes. but grief? no. life, and death, has been good to her.
meeya, thanks. oma had her share of hard times, having lived through the war and all. but the oma i knew has been such a positive person, so inspiring even in her passing.
May 10th, 2006 at
your Oma reminds me of my grandparents and father. they were like leaves of a tree. so fresh in the spring, vibrant in summer, radiantly blazing in autumn and when winter comes softly goes back to earth and sleep. may the memories of their lives nourish us who are still living…
May 11th, 2006 at
“God gave us memories so we can have roses in winter.”
*hugs*