To The Funeral

Jackie is driving me over to Elizabeth’s who will take me to Oxsted for Michael’s funeral. Today’s header picture is taken from ‘Becky’s Book’ which uses the seasons as a metaphor for managing loss.

88 comments

  1. I’m so sorry you are having to do this, Derrick. I don’t think there are any words for this occasion that have not already been said. Heartfelt sympathies.

  2. Michael’s leaving too soon will have left such a hole in your heart Derrick that I cannot begin to imagine the heft of. Yet I also know that he, his life, his siblings and all your loved ones will sustain and nourish you as you move on. Love has a powerful way of moving in to nurture and heal as the grieving abates.

  3. You are in a lot of people’s thoughts, Derrick. I love the Henry Scott Holland poem…you probably know it…
    “Death is nothing at all.
    I have only slipped away to the next room.
    I am I and you are you.
    Whatever we were to each other,
    That, we still are.”
    Take care of yourselves.

  4. A trip no father should ever have to make, Derrick. Wishing you and those who knew and cherished Michael all the support possible from a distance.

    Vale Michael. 🙁

  5. My heart is heavy for you Derrick, Soak up all those glorious words about Michael, let yourself cry, Michael will truly know grief, and he’ll be free.((Many Hugs))

  6. You are all in my thoughts and on my heart today.
    I’m so sorry you are having to bury your beloved Michael. 🙁
    Let the tears flow as you celebrate his life. I know you are surrounded by love.
    (((HUGS)))

  7. Derrick,

    Thinking and praying for you, Michael and your entire family on this heartfelt day. Always remember that Michael’s spirit is alive and vibrant and all those fond memories of his zest for life will continue to have a special place in your heart and that of your family members forever. He is smiling down upon you all from heaven.

  8. That is a beautiful book you made for Becky, Derrick. What a wonderful gift of love! My own eyes were filled with tears.

    We will all be standing with you today, and every day.

  9. Becky’s book says everything about life, and about the Winter and Rain and Autumn and Spring. About sunrise and sunset. Even though the cycle of decay and rejuvenation goes on, the flowers that wilt never see the light of the day again. My heart goes out to you.

    Maple yellow, maple red, I see
    the killing splendor of your canopy
    outside my window as I lie abed
    gathering this morning’s go-ahead,
    whispering this small apostrophe—

    how gracefully you ride time’s tyranny
    and know exactly how to be a tree,
    rubrics never read, sermons unsaid,
    maple yellow, maple red.

    Soon you will die, to some degree,
    turn prickly gray as colors flee;
    but you’ll grow back the brights you shed.
    This time next year, I may be dead
    while you, most likely once again, may be
    maple yellow, maple red.

    Cynthia Jobin

    1. A most heartwarming understanding of Becky’s Book, and who better to quote from that Cynthia Jobin with this beautiful poem?Very many tanks, Uma

  10. My parents suffered your loss, something a parent should never never have to go through. Again you have my thoughts and sympathy.

  11. Derrick my friend I love you and I am thinking of you and J and all of your family today and all days. The picture just about had me howling. I know Michael knows he is loved. As you are.

  12. Your grief is incomprehensible to those of us who have never had to experience such deep loss. Losing a child… regardless of his/her age … is taking things out of order. My heart goes out to you and your family, Derrick. I pray the words and happy memories shared by family and friends today brought you some measure of comfort. God be with you. <3

Leave a Reply