I have chosen the title for this post from the following poem by Rilke…..
Why, then, do we have to be human
and keep running from the fate
we long for?
Oh, not because of such a thing as happiness—
that fleeting gift before loss begins.
Not from curiosity, or to exercise the heart…
But because simply to be here is so much
and because what is here seems to need us,
this vanishing world that concerns us strangely—
us, the most vanishing of all. Once
for each, only once. Once and no more.
And we too: just once. Never again. But
to have lived even once,
to have been of Earth—that cannot be taken from us.
From the Ninth Duino Elegy
These words express how I feel about life. And have helped as I deal with the loss this week of a beloved friend. A healer who saved me so many times. A friend who loved unconditionally and spoke to my soul. A mentor who taught me so much about myself.
I feel lost and adrift trying to navigate this world without him in it. Some of those feelings are purely selfish. He would not want me to grieve his loss, but celebrate his life. So I will.
I offer one beautiful gladiola that blooms each year in my garden. Water soaked and laden from the 6 inches of rain we had from Tropical Storm Debby. But resilient, powerful, graceful shouting loudly.
I have been blessed to know Dr. Sami Bati for the last 15 years. An incredible spirit who is still with me. Still watching over me. Meeting my dad now, and sharing their own Donna stories. Still sending their unconditional love and healing to me. I feel them with me whispering in my ear telling me I am not alone, and never will be.
With this vase, I am also joining in with the wonderful meme, In A Vase On Monday, from Cathy at Rambling in the Garden.
All the pictures shared in this post were taken with my Nikon Coolpix or iPhone camera, and manipulated on my iPhone using the apps, Pixlr and Prisma.
All original content is copyrighted and the sole property of Donna Donabella @ Gardens Eye View, 2010-2024. Any reprints or use of content or photos is by permission only.