inhale...exhale...relax your shoulders...repeat as often as needed

Thursday, November 4, 2010

loss and hope

early this morning i got word that 
my friend franny's youngest brother
caleb
lost his battle with leukemia.
he was a treasure of a guy,
funny, energetic, hugely lovable.
 (he once pulled me aside and told me with great care and love
something i needed to hear).
he made a difference.

the world is diminished by his leaving.

and so, i wandered into my studio,
looking for comfort.
i started a baby quilt for my cousin in sweden,
who in the spring will become the first grandparent
in our generation of the family.

i sit in the midst of loss and hope.
it's what being human is all about.
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13 comments:

  1. BumbleVeeNovember 4, 2010 at 12:10 PM

    sorry to hear about Caleb ....

    hugs...

    V.

    ReplyDelete
  2. UmāNovember 4, 2010 at 1:19 PM

    Sorry to hear this Karen.
    From my Zen page-a-day (last Friday)...
    "For long years a bird in a cage,
    today, flying along with the clouds."

    ReplyDelete
  3. SuzNovember 4, 2010 at 2:10 PM

    Oh so sorry to hear about this loss
    your loss of a dear friend
    and now a new baby in the family
    life is certainly a mystery
    but always a circle

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownNovember 4, 2010 at 5:37 PM

    So sorry to hear this, Karen. I agree, loss and hope; what else can we do?

    ReplyDelete
  5. Karen JamesNovember 4, 2010 at 5:43 PM

    I'm sorry to hear this sad news. My condolences go out to Franny too.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Vivien ZepfNovember 4, 2010 at 6:20 PM

    So sorry to hear about your loss, Karen; my condolences. And, celebrations for a new one soon to join our midst. It's confusing and bewildering and exciting all at once sometimes, isn't it?

    ReplyDelete
  7. Mary PottsNovember 4, 2010 at 8:21 PM

    Oh my dear friend. The mood swings of life continue to touch all of us. It's so hard to navigate it all. Please give my love to Franny.

    I received your text today just after I donated blood in memory of Erin... out of grief ~ hope for others who are in need.

    And we all walk forward, at times very slowly.
    xo

    ReplyDelete
  8. debbi d-wNovember 4, 2010 at 8:49 PM

    Here's hoping you found some comfort among the quilts in waiting in your beautiful new studio. My best thoughts and healing energy headed your way - and Fran's.

    ReplyDelete
  9. blue china studio happyNovember 5, 2010 at 10:21 AM

    I'm so sorry for your loss. And I agree it does seem to be the human condition to sometimes be sitting somewhere between loss and hope.

    take care

    ReplyDelete
  10. Judy HartmanNovember 5, 2010 at 10:41 AM

    I'm so sorry about your friend's brother, Karen.
    I do find that absorbing myself in a sewing project is soothing.
    Hope it helps you.
    xoxox

    ReplyDelete
  11. quiltcatNovember 6, 2010 at 12:37 AM

    Hi Karen. I'm so sorry to read about your friend's brother. He sounds like quite a guy! Very glad that you were able to turn to something pleasant and life-affirming...the baby quilt looks like it's going to be gorgeous and a several cuts above the usual pastel pinks and blues!

    ReplyDelete
  12. JamieNovember 6, 2010 at 1:09 PM

    Hugs, Karen. And prayers . . .

    ReplyDelete
  13. BethanyNovember 10, 2010 at 5:32 PM

    so sorry karen.
    the quilt is going to be perfect.

    ReplyDelete


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