Death is life-affirming.
Family gathers ’round when a loved one dies, sharing memories and telling stories, all a reminder both of the value of the life of the lost one and the interconnectedness of those who remain. We experienced this at Glover Gardens recently when my Dad died, rejoicing in the togetherness of family and friends even while we mourned together. In addition to their continual prayers and love, my cousin’s wife brought a gift to our informal celebration of Dad’s life, a live and blooming hibiscus, with a heartfelt haiku.
your much-beloved dad
like this hibiscus flower
blossomed love and life
I’ve posted before about how we love love love both hibiscus and haiku here at Glover Gardens; this gift was as appropriate and welcome as a hug to smooth a hardship – and so life-affirming! A quick little poem, at the second grade level (I couldn’t resist):
I have a wonderful cousin
who has a wonderful wife.
She wrote a hibiscus haiku
to celebrate Dad’s life.
Find more about Dad here.
And here’s a tour through our hibiscus flowers (also shared in this previous post).
Copyright 2017, Glover Gardens Cookbook
~ with help from Marsha (haiku) and Lucy (cover picture) and Dad (inspiration) ~
Condolences first of all! I adore how you awakened to the fact of death with subtlety. It’s a great act done by your cousin’s wife.
Love your life-affirming comments!!!!
Very generous of you to say so. Thank you very much!
Ya’ll be safe over there.
You, too! Flooding is probably getting to be a tired old story for y’all. Stay dry!
Thank you. We live in the Garden District, a whopping 6 feet above sea level which means we have never flooded. Thankfully.
The Garden District – so lovely! I hope your no-flood streak holds out. Can’t wait to see your rain photos.