Monday, January 26, 2015

January & Mom


January, from Janus, the Roman God of beginnings and transitions, depicted with two heads, one facing the past and the other looking to the future. For most, January holds high expectations and promise for a great New Year. For some, January can be the cruelest of months with its frigid temperatures, bleak skies, and mountainous heaps of snow. I suppose it depends upon which way the winds blow.

This month, ten days into the New Year, the winds were not so favorable.

My mother passed away unexpectedly.

As we dig out from one snowstorm, then another, hope springs eternal.

I leave you with a glimpse of a great woman: smart, independent, artistic and caring... my mom, Edna Levine.

Here's a portrait mom took of herself with her Canon AE1, while studying photography in college later in life. Her lifetime was heavily invested in art: printmaking, ceramics, large paper pieces and so much more.


Here are a few of her handmade paper pieces... taken under plexiglass with an ipad... not optimum conditions, but you can still get a feel for what she accomplished.






So much to say... too emotional to say much else.

Best to leave you with the words of a poet.

Do Not Stand At My Grave And Weep

Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
 I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.

~ Mary Elizabeth Frye


Edna Levine
1927- 2015
Forever remembered with love. 


5 comments:

  1. Betsy and I are so sorry to hear of the loss of your Mom. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. (Tom & Betsy Conway)

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words. It's very comforting to know that we are held in your thoughts.
      XOX

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  2. I am saddened by the loss of Edna. I pray for God to comfort your family, and all of us, her friends. Story: long ago, she had her eye on my purple Indian wrap skirt! "Oh, that skirt will make a great paper!" Finally I gave it to her, for her beaters to make it into handmade paper! She made gorgeous paper from it; I was honored. I will never forget her; She was a good, creative, fun and loyal friend who made outstanding, museum quality art. I will miss her, but I think we will meet again! ♥ Terry

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    1. Terry you brought tears to these sad eyes... happy tears!
      What a lovely sentiment and fabulous story. I can envision my mom having 'big' plans for your Indian wrap, but the fact that you gave it to her to make paper says a lot about how you valued her friendship.

      So glad you were a part of mom's life and now ours.
      Hugs...

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  3. I've been thinking of the two of you daily, realizing the amount of work involved with your mom's estate, and appreciating all you are doing. Thank you.

    I also miss her. It reminds me of when my mom passed away..such a loving, but complicated relationship. Even in death, I understand more about my mom as a woman, mother and wife. There are more questions I wish I could have asked, and more things I wish I could tell her now. But I have learned to have no regrets..our parents, as well as ourselves, continue to grow with experience and the passage of time. We learn life lessons as time marches on, if we are open to them. Grieving is the first step...my heart wishes you peace.

    Love,
    Cathy

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