Wednesday 29 December 2010

Forever Fabulous

Aunt Shirley
1938 - Christmas Day 2010


Sadly my glamorous aunt, whose early photograph graces the header of this blog, lost her battle with cancer on Christmas day. I’d known she was very ill for some time, and it was so hard to pick out a card to send to her, something that would sum up how very much she meant to me and yet something in those last weeks that would be purposefully light and would make her smile. After a good search I found a beautiful card of a stylish Art Deco lady, which just said two words - ‘Forever Fabulous’. Perfect, I thought, and I am so glad to say she thought so too.

XxX

If this is the last card you’ll see
Will you see it and think of me?
I hope so much that it makes you smile
And you can forget the pain for a little while
I wanted to let you know I care
That if you need me I’d always be there,
And that thoughts of you will sparkle bright
In my heart, throughout my life
I won’t be sad - I’ll think with fond laughter
About you forever fabulous in the ever after

Jayne, December 2010.
I didn't put this verse in the card, as that was deliberately kept light-hearted, but it was in my heart.

46 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh, how sad, Jayne, that you should lose your aunt and on Christmas Day too.

However, it's great that you found an appropriate card and even better that you wrote that beautiful verse.

Your aunt's struggle is over and you have fine memories of her.

Natasha said...

I am so sorry for your loss, Jayne.
But those are beautiful lines, and I am sure they meant as much to her as they did to you.

Anne Gallagher said...

Oh, Jayne, I'm so sorry. It's heartbreaking to lose someone you love, especially on Christmas. But the card you chose was wonderful and I'm sure she loves you more than ever.

Find comfort that she's not in pain any longer.

Kathy said...

I'm so sorry to hear you've lost your aunt. That is so neat, though, that that's her picture in your header--I always just assumed it was some random photo you'd found.

J.B. Chicoine said...

How Sad, Jayne...I often wondered who was the beautiful woman in your header...
...condolences...

Old Kitty said...

That's your lovely glamourous aunt. Oh Jayne, I am truly sorry to hear of her passing. Please accept my deepest and sincerest condolences.

The words here are just beautiful. Thank you for sharing. Take care
x

Out on the prairie said...

Part of losing someone dear is seeing them in yourself to forever remember them by. It seems she left you a legacy.

Pat Tillett said...

Sorry about your loss.
Thanks for sharing your amazing tribute to her with us...

Sage Ravenwood said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. Beautiful tribute to a glamorous soul. Your words are truly heartfelt here. (Hugs)Indigo

Angelina Rain said...

I’m very sorry for your loss.

Elizabeth Varadan, Author said...

So sorry for your loss, Jayne. It sounds like she was a super aunt and that you had a special relationship. How nice to have found just the right card. And what a nice tribute your verse is.

Mimi said...

I am sorry for your loss, Jayne.
Your poetic tribute to a wonderful lady is great; I particularly love the last two lines.
Sometimes it's very hard to get the right card- abalance between acknowledging what's happening, but not being morose, and it sounds like you got it 100% right.
Take care.

The Words Crafter said...

She really was a beautiful lady and your poem is wonderful.

It's devastating to lose anyone, regular days and holidays. I found comfort in knowing my mom wasn't in pain anymore. I believe your aunt isn't, either.

Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.....

D.J.Kirkby said...

I never know what to say at times like these :( Sounds to me like your Aunt made an exit which perfectly demonstrated her vibrant style.

Golden Eagle said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your aunt.

Beautiful tribute.

Katie Anderson said...

I'm so sorry to hear this Jayne - it seems to me that your aunt was indeed forever fabulous. Take care x

Ava Z. said...

I'm so sorry for your loss, Jayne. Those words are beautiful and thank you for sharing them with us here.

Fran Hill said...

She does look amazing. You will miss her. So sorry.

Words A Day said...

I'm sorry for your loss, but glad that you dedicated a post to your aunt. I feel the same about my grandmother, I can recall buying her handcream, and writing a card to her the christmas before she died. Your poem really moved me. Your aunt was indeed glamorous and forever fabulous.

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

I am so very sorry. She had such a wonderful face - I'm sure she was a lovely woman and I know you shall miss her terribly. My thoughts are with you this evening.

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

I am so very sorry. She had such a wonderful face - I'm sure she was a lovely woman and I know you shall miss her terribly. My thoughts are with you this evening.

Happy Frog and I said...

I am sure she really appreciated your thoughtful words and gestures. Forever fabulous, I like that. My thoughts are with you and your family. x

Maria Zannini said...

You are a poet at heart, Jayne. Your aunt must have been an amazing person to have graced your blog, and that's a testament in itself.

Carol E Wyer said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Carol E Wyer said...

Jayne what a beautiful appropriate card and how poignant a post. Words always seem insufficient to convey emotions at a time like this...sorry always seems to lack something but when it is said or written it is accompanied by geniune emotions from those who feel for you and your loss. I too am sorry for you and to hear your sad news.
Sincerest wishes
Carol

Carol Kilgore said...

I'm so sorry for you loss, Jayne. Your aunt knew how much you loved her, and I'm sure she loved you just as much if not more. She'll always live in your heart. Your verse is lovely.

Hermana Maw said...

Jayne, I wish you sweet memories and loving embraces. Sorry for your loss. Hugs.

Jenny Beattie said...

Oh Jayne, I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. It's a gorgeous card.

I've been a very bad blogger over the last few months but I hope to pay more attention in 2011.

In the meantime I wish you and yours a very Happy New Year!

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry about your loss.

Those are beautiful words.

Julie@beingRUBY said...

Dear Jayne
Sorry I thought I had already left a message here.. but thanks for your lovely wishes my way.. Sorry to hear abut your Aunt.. she will continue to grace us all with her loveliness there on your banner... May 2011 bring you joy and happiness and thank for your friendship and kind words!!! xxx Julie

Maggie May said...

I am truly very sorry.
Those were beautiful lines and I hope you will keep her photo on the header.
Hope 2011 will be good to you.
Maggie X

Nuts in May

T. Powell Coltrin said...

I'm sorry for your loss. Your header and post proves her presence was meaningful to you. What a great legacy to be meaningful to another.

It's difficult to lose those who mean so much.

Prayers,
Teresa

Eliza said...

I'm so sorry about your Aunt Shirley. She does look very glamerous in her photo, I often wondered who she was. The poem was beautiful too, thanks for sharing.

Carolyn V. said...

Jayne, I am so sorry to hear about your Aunt Shirley.

What beautiful words for her. (((Hugs)))

Rose said...

very sad to hear about your Aunt- she sounds like she was wonderful- the poem is beautiful xx

Jayne said...

Christine – Thank you so much for your kind words. Fine memories indeed.

Rayna – Thank you.

Anne Gallagher – I am so pleased I found that card; it was definitely the right one. Thank you.

Jayne said...

Kathy – Yes, it always tickled me to have my Aunt’s picture up there. It’s a link with the ‘real me’ so to speak.

jbchicoine – Aw thank you. Much appreciated.

Old Kitty – You always say the right thing, Old Kitty, and that is hard to do in comments sometimes – it is a fab skill you have here! Thank you.

Jayne said...

Out on the prairie – What a nice thing to say. I’ll remember that, thank you.

Pat Tillett – Thank you, Pat.

Indigo – A glamorous soul, I like that, and my Aunt would have liked it too! Thank you, Indigo.

Jayne said...

Angelina Rain – Thank you.

Elizabeth Varadan – Thank you, I was so pleased to have found the right card for her.

Mimi – Aw thanks for that, Mimi. That was exactly the challenge with choosing a suitable card, but I am so pleased I found this one, the two words were just right for my Aunt. She was/is a forever fabulous sort of woman!

Jayne said...

The Words Crafter – She would have liked all these compliments! Thank you, and yes, there is definitely a comfort in knowing that much loved people are no longer suffering.

D.J.Kirkby – Your comment was spot on, so you did know a perfect thing to say. Thank you, and yes, I think in a way it did!

The Golden Eagle – Thank you.

Jayne said...

Katie Anderson – Aw thanks Katie, she was indeed.

Tracy Z –Thank you, much appreciated.

Fran – Thanks, Fran. She would have liked all these compliments.

Jayne said...

Words A Day – Buying and writing that last card is such a hard thing to do. Thank you for sharing some thoughts about your grandmother and for saying you liked my poem. My aunt would be very happy with your words.

Pamela Terry and Edward – Aw such a nice thing to say. Thank you.

Happy Frog and I – Thank you. Forever fabulous suits her very well – I am so glad I found that card.

Jayne said...

Maria Zannini – Your comment made me smile – I like the idea of being a poet at heart. Sometimes these lines spill out from nowhere (and sometimes they sound a bit Dr Seuss inspired). This one wrote itself really... and thank you, she would have been very happy with all these compliments!

Facing50Blog.com – Thank you for your lovely comment. I really appreciate it. It’s times like this when blog-world feels such a wonderful place to be.

Carol Kilgore – She will... thank you, that is a really lovely thought.

penandpaints said...

So sorry to hear that.
Your poem is just lovely,I'm sure it meant a lot to her.

Kathryn said...

I was very moved by that.And sorry she died on Christmas Day

Dolly said...

I am sorry for your loss. I had to go away for a day after reading this post, before I could come back and give you my sympathy. Your Auntie made me think of my Grandma Dolly, also very glamourous and still missed to this day. Your card choice was just perfect. I shall light a candle in Church for them both when I go into town tomorrow.