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The Bell

Barry Fraser over at An Explorer's View of Life has cancer.  The members of Theme Thursday are helping him mark a milestone this week.  Regular readers of my blog know about my bout with cancer, my undergoing chemo since October and the radiation and stem cell transplant yet to come.  You can catch up on my ordeal my clicking on the cancer2 label at the bottom of this post.  But Barry is doing his last scheduled chemo treatment this afternoon and when he's done he's going to ring this:


Go to Barry's blog and see what that's all about.

Good luck Barry, and to all those undergoing cancer treatment.  Cancer is an insidious disease and we've got to find a cure.

For a close family member and even closer friend that cure couldn't come soon enough.  She slipped from us earlier this week.  So here's my bell, a last bell if you would, for her...and for her partner and best friend.


A Consoling Poem About Death: Death Is Nothing At All

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.

Call me by my old familiar name.
Speak to me in the easy way
which you always used.
Put no difference into your tone.
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.

Laugh as we always laughed
at the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me. Pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word
that it always was.
Let it be spoken without effect.
Without the trace of a shadow on it.

Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same that it ever was.
There is absolute unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind
because I am out of sight?

I am but waiting for you.
For an interval.
Somewhere. Very near.
Just around the corner.

All is well.

Henry Scott Holland ~ 1847-1918
Canon of St. Paul's Cathedral ~ London. UK 


I'm trying my best to believe this.  I know she would have.

Comments

Brian Miller said…
i like the thought of waiting somewhere near, right around the corner...
What a wonderful poem! Those who live on in our hearts are with us forever.
Donnie said…
Best wishes to your friend too. Glad to see that his round of chemo is about over for him. Hope you continue to do well also.
Whitey said…
A beautiful sentiment. A wonderful gesture.
Me-Me King said…
What a lovely poem. The day you ring the bell will be absolutely glorious!
Anonymous said…
Oh Nomie!

As much as I laugh in cancer's face, I can never forget that she does indeed win the battle SOMETIMES.

But not you, me or Barry, k? At least not for a long, long time!

Beautiful poem.

You are such a thoughtful, insightful and humorous blogger. Thank-you for sharing YOU with us.

Sorry, but it hits me hard as I'm sure YOU understand.

{hugs}

I will gladly listen to the ringing of the bells!
Anonymous said…
Very nicely said and done, Noname...

...I don't know what else to say. I'm...verklempft. Really.
e said…
Poignant post. Very sorry to hear of the loss of your friend this week and wish you the best with what is ahead for you.
Nice poem.


Ringing the Bell for Barry today: http://bit.ly/awIPJm
Clang, Clang!

--Terrace Crawford
www.terracecrawford.com
www.twitter.com/terracecrawford
K A B L O O E Y said…
I hear that bell ringing. I checked out Barry's blog and wish all of us touched by cancer a future without the necessity to ring that particular bell, but knowledge that if/when we do, there are others to support us.
All the best to your friend, and to you. Cancer is a monster. Take care.
Anonymous said…
Just missing my Homie! *smile*

{hugs}
Me-Me King said…
Hello - is there anybody out there?


word veri: restrums
nonamedufus said…
Thanks to everyone for their comments on this post. It's a bit of a bittersweet and tough weekend in our family as we say goodbye to a dear and close family friend. I appreciate everyone's heartfelt concerns. Cheers.
Baino said…
Since I only visit for Theme Thursday, I had no idea that you had cancer I'm very sorry to hear it and wish you a complete recovery. So so sorry to hear of your friend I have a friend also, as do so many, who is losing her fight and will slip from us soon Very sad but thoughtful post. Best of luck to you and of course Barry.
http://drinksbeforedinner.com said…
"Life means all that it ever meant." Let's see. Someone dead is speaking to someone still alive. So: death means all that life ever meant. Perhaps we have a problem.
That's a beautiful poem, No Name. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Quirkyloon said…
Just missing my Homie! *smile*

{hugs}

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