Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Banana Fana Bo Bana

Click on photos to enlarge! Reflected Glory

The Lehua blossom unfolds when the rains tread on it."
Hawaiian Proverb

Another View


"I want to die in my sleep like my friend.... Not screaming and yelling like the passengers in his car."
Wil Shriner

Gatekeeper

"We read that we ought to forgive our enemies; but we do not read that we ought to forgive our friends."
Pierre Corneille



Today I was feeling a bit sad.






I was sad about my father's declining health.






Strangely my feelings felt somehow "clean."






A calmness prevailed.






No shaking my fist at fate,






or at God.






No "What if" or "Why not."






Just smelted acceptance; and gratitude.






Gratitude that I got to spend time with him late in life,






Gratitude, and apprehension
that indefinite time, and pain remain to him.

And I realized something then.






I finally understood:






When trauma and disaster are overcome






a space is cleared






for appropriate grief






in it's proper season.






But what remains is luminous






and oh so beautiful!






A L O H A! Cloudia




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21 comments:

  1. AnonymousMarch 25, 2009 at 3:39 AM

    Always sad to see a parent decline in health before one's very eyes. My dad died 3 weeks after diagnosis and surgery. It was quite a shock. He was 87.

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  2. magiceyeMarch 25, 2009 at 4:09 AM

    indeed...
    touchingly beautiful post..

    namaste and aloha

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  3. claudeMarch 25, 2009 at 4:10 AM

    A lot of wind makes the leaves of bananatrees very toulsed. Mine are still under bubble wraps. ALOHA !

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  4. the walking manMarch 25, 2009 at 4:39 AM

    Sadness has more health of mind behind it than to rage against the process of a loved ones dying. Be sad and when your pops goes be happy for his rest in the house of your ancestors knowing he will rise again.

    Be Well Cloudia, I am remembering you in my morning talk with the creator of all things. I ask for you to have peace.

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  5. The Weaver of GrassMarch 25, 2009 at 4:47 AM

    Thank you for visiting my blog. I am paying a return visit and what a day to do it - when I read about your father's decline - I have just lost a friend and she was so stoical in her decline and met death head on with no complaints. Her ashes are now scattered in the field above our farm together with those of her husband and their beloved dog - all together in the earth again - I agree about the feeling it gives you when it all goes well. Call again.

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  6. SandyCarlsonMarch 25, 2009 at 5:32 AM

    What a beautiful post. Your own Desiderata. Beautiful. I hope your dad is feeling peaceful, too.

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  7. BubblewenchMarch 25, 2009 at 6:03 AM

    Beautiful words...

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  8. advertisnoMarch 25, 2009 at 7:50 AM

    I'm so sorry to read about your father...your post is beautiful.

    //Fancy

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  9. HeffMarch 25, 2009 at 9:49 AM

    You guys call that a "Lehua" ? I call it a banana tree. I have some myself. It's obvious you guys get some serious wind by looking at those leaves.

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  10. DarylMarch 25, 2009 at 10:02 AM

    ((Cloudia)) .. seeing/watching a parent age is painful .. hang on to all the good memories and get him to tell you about the past .. fill in the blanks .. I personally wish I had done more of that, there are many questions I will never have answers to/for

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  11. David CranmerMarch 25, 2009 at 12:19 PM

    My dad passed away in '05 and there's not a day that goes by that I don't think of him and be glad I had thirty-five years with him... Your post was beautifully done.

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  12. Reader WilMarch 25, 2009 at 1:55 PM

    Sorry your dad is in poor health, thank you for sharing it!Thanks also for your comment on the concentration camps, which I answered on my blog.

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  13. AnonymousMarch 25, 2009 at 2:35 PM

    Beautiful post, straight from the heart. I wish you and your loved ones peace.

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  14. AkelamaluMarch 25, 2009 at 2:45 PM

    It is so heartbreaking to see a parent's health decline before your eyes. I thought we would lose my Dad a couple of years ago, he was in so much pain. Then a miracle happened, he had a hip replacement and it has given him a new lease of life! I know at 85 he may not have too much longer with us but at least he's enjoying himself. I'm thinking of you honey. xx

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  15. Charles GramlichMarch 25, 2009 at 3:30 PM

    I'm going through something like this with my mom but I don't know how I feel yet.

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  16. RiverPoetMarch 25, 2009 at 6:40 PM

    I should print this one out and keep it in my thanatology portfolio. Amazing insight. I saw one parent die rather young (59) after 7 years of battling cancer. I saw the other die at 76 after a long, slow decline with lupus, diabetes, severe osteoporosis, and heart disease. The cancer death was actually easier. Dad had it easy, compared to Mom. But I miss them both.

    Peace - D

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  17. CloudiaMarch 25, 2009 at 11:20 PM

    Thank you ALL
    for your kind visits
    & your heartfelt words.
    You are much appreciated.

    Aloha!

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  18. Brother TobiasMarch 26, 2009 at 8:58 AM

    That is well put, Cloudia. I hope whatever unfolds, unfolds with grace.

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  19. Sepiru ChrisMarch 26, 2009 at 12:45 PM

    In the stillness of reflection you find the beauty.

    Before I read the text I was going to say how drawn I was to your very first image. How it reminded me of life remembered.

    I see why.

    Pommes, the Heroine, and I send love.

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  20. Feisty CroneMarch 26, 2009 at 10:10 PM

    Beautifully written, Cloudia.

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  21. UnknownOctober 16, 2009 at 2:35 PM

    Nice blog. What is the origin of the "brides" picture? your family? I'd like to look into using it for a documentary on Japanese immigrants.
    Thanks!
    June

    ReplyDelete

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