Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Goodbye, Ms. Fran

Ms. Fran

Most of you who follow Peggy's blog know by now that Ms. Fran passed away on Monday at 4:45 PM. Please go to Peggy's post here to read her account of Ms. Fran's gentle passing from death unto Life. I read a comment on Peggy's post left by S who referred to Ms. Fran's death as BITTERSWEET, which I find very fitting at this time.

Bittersweet

Many months ago Peggy began to share Ms. Fran with us and we came to know and love her.
I looked forward to reading about her and seeing pictures of her sweet, smiling face. Peggy shared their good times together:

Ms. Fran with kids

Even after she became ill and her body weakened, she still liked participating in the fun that Peggy could cook up:

valentine Ms. Fran

Thank you, Peggy, for unselfishly letting us be there in Ms. Fran's last days.

As a tribute I would like to share one of my favorite poems with you. I hope you will take the
time to read and absorb what it says. We say "goodbye" to Ms. Fran for now but only for a while.


Gone From My Sight
By
Henry Van Dyke
I am standing upon the seashore. A ship, at my side,spreads her white sails to the moving breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength.I stand and watch her until, at length, she hangs like a speck
of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.
Then, someone at my side says, "There, she is gone"
Gone where?
Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast,hull and spar as she was when she left my side.And, she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port.
Her diminished size is in me -- not in her.
And, just at the moment when someone says, "There, she is gone,"
there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices
ready to take up the glad shout, "Here she comes!"
And that is dying...

15 comments:

Peggy said...

Thank you so much Hope for this beautiful tribute to Ms. Fran. She was a very loving and caring lady. She enjoyed so much the cards and notes from the blog neighborhood. She couldn't believe how sweet everyone was to her, someone they didn't know. I informed her she was very well known and loved all over the world. Now she can see all those sweet people who cared about her and sent her cards. Thanks again, I love the poem and will share it with her family.

A Romantic Porch said...

Oh Hope, what a beautiful tribute. And the poem gives such an awesome perspective. Love,Rachel

Unknown said...

Thank you Hope for putting into words what we all felt with the passing of Miss Fran. You did a wonderful job.

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry to hear about your friend and am sending you cyber (((hugs)))

That is a beautiful poem!

Diane@Diane's Place said...

I do like that poem! It's the first time I've ever seen it.

I didn't know Ms. Fran but my sympathies go out to Peggy and all who loved Ms. Fran.

Love and hugs,

Diane

Karen H. said...

Good Evening Hope,
I'm sorry to hear about Ms. Fran. I didn't know her, but from the tribute you gave about her she sounded like a wonderful person. My sympathy goes out to her and her Family as well as Peggy. I have never heard of that poem before either. It is a very moving and touching poem. Take care my friend and have a great evening. May God Bless You and Yours.

Karen

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

A very nice tribute. I haven't read that before, thanks for sharing.

Katherine

j said...

Hope, you are such a compassionate lady. This post was just wonderful.

I am so sorry for Peggy's loss. The poem was a perfect tribute to her.

Be blessed sweetie!

Jennifer

Anonymous said...

Beautiful post. I like you have learned to love Ms. Fran. I know this will be hard,but Ms. Fran is in such a great place now.
How are you feeling? Hope things are getting better..miss you much.

Betty said...

Hi Hope,

I didn't know anything about this lady, but she looks like a very sweet, kind person. I did go over and read Peggy's post about her passing. Your post and her's both were very sweet. She must have been a very special lady.

We got home Tuesday night. So good to be home. I've posted a couple of times since I've been home. Hope you can visit.

How are you feeling? Better I hope.

Hugs,
Betty

Lib said...

Hi Friend,
I'm back.lol
Miz. Fran will be missed, she was a sweet Lady and Peggy was a TRUE Friend to her!
Hope things are going weel for you and yours.
Love,Hugs,Blessings,Lib

j said...

Hi Hope! This is Emily. Jen's daughter. I am sorry about your loss. Thank you for stoping by my mom's blog and wishing me a happy birthday!
Emily

P.S. I love your pointer thingy!

Unknown said...

What a beautiful poem! I appreciate your kind words for this lovely person and saint of God! There is a song titled Only gone from our sight! By the Primitive quartet. I love it.I hope you have the best day~ Love ya. Lisa

Valarie Lea said...

I am so glad you shared that poem.

J.D. Scorpio said...

Hello Hope:
I enjoyed your visit and comments. As for as the electricity, my uncle came to the holler and wired the old house for electricity but it never got that far…! We lived so far back in the woods that the sun set tween us and the Hi-way…!! Lol I’m glad if I woke a fond memory or two for you. Also the memorial for Ms Fran was outstanding, thanks for sharing.
I like the pictures of your Easter Egg hunt too….. Anyway, I hope this finds you and yours well and in good spirits…. JD