Seriously thoughtful Light a Virtual Candle

[WT Sharpe]

Originally Posted by TGS

I don't have a candle, but I did notice that it was Patricia who started this thread.

That was typical of her. She was a very caring person.

[recluse]

There is a new star shining in the night sky
Letting us know that Patricia has gotten her own candle.
To watch over us all.

Jon

[montsnmags]

Originally Posted by TGS

I don't have a candle, but I did notice that it was Patricia who started this thread.

It's somewhat apropos, TGS, as there's a useful turn of a metaphoric phrase: few people can hold a candle to the bright, wise loveliness that was Patricia.

I miss her so.

[yvanleterrible]

Oh, Patricia...
You left too quickly!


Zelda, hang on sweetie! I knew you were close, hang on...

[montsnmags]

[Also posted in the other Lounge thread...my apologies for the duplication, but I wanted to try show some small honour to her thread here too]

Patricia was one of the dearest people I knew...one of few friends I have that resolve from the imaginary into solid sincerity through the beauty of their own personality. She was so very wise, so very calming, so very honest and thoughtful and helpful.

When I had a problem, a problem that tied me in knots, and one for which I didn't want support but for someone to give it objective voice, to me and others, it was her I turned to. It wasn't advocacy I sought (or was it...?), which is easy, but understanding, and in her enormous strength in the emotion I treasure most, empathy, she, always so giving, gave me her understanding, and thus gave it back to me, for me to understand myself. And, after presenting my thoughts to others, better than I ever could, she came to me and still said "What do you want me to do now?" - a question that offers explicit willingness to help, while making one question one's own expectations. This was Patricia, and always was, to me - someone who gave in every way.

She made me question myself, respect myself, but also wish to be better than I am. To be more like her. She changed me, and changing stubborn and hard-worn prejudices and repeated furrows of habitual thought process, for the better, is not an easy thing for a person to do to and for another. She respected the Fool, but also saw the prodigal son that needs to find a home.

I liked her, and she was my Friend. And I miss her, and feel the world becomes yet more hollow without her, and resounds so. But she swims to the west now, where one day I hope to follow...



The Ballade of the Swimmer

From foetal pacificus some seraphim
will bear downward feet-first to fundus below,
but me, well before I could walk I could swim
and fly through the current of maritime flow.
My world is aquatic...amphibious, though
I'd sit on a peak or beneath banyan tree;
but One is the spring I will never outgrow -
to dive into water and sink in the sea.

I've loved behind dunes on a prayer and a whim
and drunk my fair share of the ethanol glow.
The world's been my oyster, I've ridden its rim
and fallen both sides of the razor tableau.
I've swallowed a lion and eaten some crow
My cup's runneth over at afternoon tea, but
I'd give up transcendence and pawn my Thoreau
to dive into water and sink in the sea

The light through my vitreous humour is dim
The limbs that propelled me won't get up and go
and each exhalation's an aqueous hymn
to lachrymal thoughts that we seep what we row.
So this is a ballade and not a rondeau,
the ebb of my tide and a final decree
I give up my breath...that I'd give, quid pro quo,
to dive into water and sink in the sea

The sand's at my heal and the arch and the toe,
the wave's to my chest and my back's to the lee,
If born in an ocean than borne I will go
To dive into water and sink in the sea.



(To Patricia, who helped teach me to swim)

marc

[GeoffC]

Let her light shine the brightest ....
better, by fair, than any candle I can find ....
for those who were close ....
let the memories lighten the load ....
forget them not as we shall not forget
the light, so cruelly taken away....

[zelda_pinwheel]

i think it is very appropriate to remember patricia in this thread as well, since it's such a lovely example of her kindness, thoughtfulness and generosity. and i think she would have been really happy to see that her sentiment was taken up so well, when i posted candles for a dear friend in hospital and so many of you responded, not even knowing it was her.

another candle for you patricia. i hope the light you brought to us never goes out.

[rebarnmom]

For Patricia

[dreams]

A candle burning brightly in the sunlight, and burning brightly to light the night.

In memory of Patricia whose kindness gave warmth to us all.

[poohbear_nc]

For Patricia. Burning brightly for all of us left here.

[vivaldirules]

A candle for a teacher and lover of books.

[Billjr13]

For Particia's family and freinds.

[GraceKrispy]

For all the lives she's touched, and for all the lives who will continue to be touched, perhaps without having ever "met" Patricia. Joy and love never decrease from being shared.

[FizzyWater]

For Patricia

[pilotbob]

This weekend was the anniversary of my baby nephew Jack's death.

He is gone, but no forgotten. A candle in memorium... and for his parents that must bear the scar of his loss in their hearts forever.



Today is my sisters birthday... a time when she will always be reminded of her loss, I hope she can find joy in what she has gained, Sara, Jacks twin sister is happy and healthy today.

BOb