‘When you part from your friend, you grieve not; for that which you love most in him will be clearer in his absence, as the mountain to the climber is clearer from the plain.’
Ah, good old Kahlil Gibran, always trying to find the positive, the lesson, in the sometimes-tangled mess of life. I suppose this was his way of saying that absence makes the heart grow fonder, but sometimes absence is just that, a hole in your life, where something or someone once was and they cannot be replaced.
I’ve parted from several friends in my life, simply due to having moved so often and so far, but most of us are still in touch. Each on our own journey, but our paths still intersect from time to time. However, sometimes you get the news that a friend is on another kind of journey, one which we all must take one day, and from which there is no return. That kind of news is always hard to hear, and doubly so in this time of solitude and shielding, where the only comfort you can offer is words, and there is no guarantee that you will actually get to see each other again.
And so it has been for me this week. I am heartsore, and cannot imagine how it must be for her family, for her beloved, to have to deal with this news. Our friendship has been mostly virtual, but we have spent a handful of days together. And oh, such days, where time has stretched and twisted, allowing glimpses of other realms, and some of the most profound experiences of my life. Days of tears and laughter, of good food and company, of ritual and song. Days that have changed the course of my own life, helping me to explore who I truly am. And through them all, a thread of warmth and learning and friendship, of generosity of spirit and understanding that I’ll never forget.
‘I’m still here,’ I can hear her saying. And of course she is. And she will be for a while yet.
So perhaps I’ll finish up here with another quote, this time from Tennesee Williams. ‘Time doesn’t take away from friendship, nor does separation.’
I know you’ll get to see the heather bloom again. And I hope I get to see it with you.
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Helen Glynn Jones 
Dear Helen, I share your sentiments. This is not easy. ❤️
It really isn’t, is it. Thank you x
All the more worse knowing we can’t be there to give her a hug. Loving and trying to support from afar does not seem enough. Xo
That’s absolutely it. Words just don’t seem sufficient for this, but it’s all we have at the moment x
❤
❤
Well, that’s two very soggy hobbits this end…
I too hope we’ll share the heather again xxx
Sending virtual hugs until we can actually do real ones – sorry about making you both soggy! xxx
Soggy can be good sometimes.. and hope the real hugs are not too long in coming x
Me too 🙂 xx
🙂 xx
You speak for all of us, Helen. xo
Thanks Darlene xx
You have expressed so beautifully, how we all feel about this situation, Helen. We are wrapping the loving soul you write about in all the healing love we can muster and you too are wrapped in that loving energy. ❤
Thanks so much, Jane – that’s lovely 🙂 x
I am so sorry to hear about your friend, Helen. Beautiful tribute – keeping her family & friends in my thoughts.
Thank you so much, Traci 🙂 x
Beautifully written, Helen. And about a beautiful lady xx
Thanks so much, Esther. Hope you’re well xx
This is so beautiful Helen, she is lucky to have a friend like you. Yes friendship is hard during times of isolation. Take care of yourself hugs
Thank you so much 🙂 Hugs to you too
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I have no words but these… the heather will wait for you, Sue…
Thank you so much for sharing 🙂 I agree, the heather will be waiting…
Reblogged this on Anita Dawes & Jaye Marie ~ Authors.
So beautifully written! And captures my feelings exactly. We need to do the best we can to buoy her up and let her know she is loved!
Thanks so much, Noelle 🙂 And we do
Heartfelt and beautiful, Helen.
Thank you, Mary 🙂
Oh Helen, how moving your words, how beautiful the heather ❤
Thank you so much, Sherri xx
Hugs, Helen xxx
So beautiful, Helen. I’m speechless. I need a handkerchief. ❤ ❤
Thanks so much, Diana – hope you’re well x
We are standing in solidarity around her, our loving and healing thoughts working their magic. ❤ Beautiful post, Helen.
Thanks, Eliza – we are indeed 🙂
You put it so well Helen, like you my friendship has been mostly virtual but the days I have spent with Sue have been so special, she has touched us all and long may she be with us. In our hearts always. 💜
Absolutely in our hearts always 🙂 And thank you, Willow.
We are her wings 💜
The friendship in this may not old her here, but it will always hold her in your heart.
Yes, it will. And thank you 🙂
So mote it be. : )
So mote it be 🙂 Thank you x
Reblogged this on France & Vincent.
Thanks, Stuart. Sending hugs x
Much appreciated… 😉
Words – those magical ‘courses of the mind,’ are never enough when faced with great sadness, but HOPE is one we can always cling to for dear Sue. Love. x.
Agree, Joy – and thank you x
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