Monday, February 12 – Connie de Biase died February 10, 2017
“your laugh once lifted me,
your word was gift to me.” Yahuda Halevi
One of many people who miss Connie de Biase (died February 10, 2017) wrote me yesterday to say her loss with 3 short sentences and one thousand year poem. I am in her debt for finding words to say the beauty of Connie’s grace and wisdom and such supple welcome to so many women and men over decades of hospitality and grace.
“One year ago today you left us, Connie. The suddenness of it left me heartbroken, questioning so much. I miss you my friend and not a day goes by that I do not think of you! Rest in peace dear one.”
Tis a fearful thing
to love what death can touch.
A fearful thing
to love, to hope, to dream, to be –
to be,
And oh, to lose.
A thing for fools, this,
And a holy thing,
a holy thing
to love.
For your life has lived in me,
your laugh once lifted me,
your word was gift to me.
To remember this brings painful joy.
‘Tis a human thing, love,
a holy thing, to love
what death has touched.
~ Yehuda HaLevi
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judah_Halevi
p.s. From today’s editor:
Hi John,
I wanted to share the poem with you that I posted in memory of Connie yesterday, on her anniversary of new life. I think it touches on the particular agony of her loss. I have thought of and think of you often in this last year. I hope you feel her all around you!
Yesterday as I sat in my prayer space, I got up for some water to feed the Gerbera Daisies I have been nurturing in the hopes they will bloom again in summer. I have attached the picture of what took my breath away as I glanced at it. Gerberas in winter. A Connie move if ever there was one!
Be well old friend!
