Tuesday, January 13, 2015

The Ship


My dad passed this morning.  The nurse said he passed peacefully.  I called on the mobile phone last night and the nurse held it to Dad’s ear so I could tell him I love him.  She said she knew he heard me because he moved.  Hopefully closer to the phone.

I’m OK.  Sad he’s gone but I know he was tired and he’d lived a long life.  He was 93.  We spent a few days with him last week.  I’m so thankful that I got to spend some time with him before he passed. Glad that he knew we were there for him as he'd been for us. Glad for that last squeeze of the hand and kiss.

There won’t be a service until the interment in the spring.  They can’t do burials in the winter there. So we’ll do it when the leaves are on the trees and we feel more like celebrating his life.

I felt the need to make him one last card.  He loved clipper ships and put together many models of them.  They were beautiful and intricate and showed he had patience.  I think it was his way of keeping his sanity with teenagers in the house!

On the inside, I put this poem that I had copied and had stashed in my things to remember. I had it copied as The Ship.  In looking for the author on the Internet, I see that it isn't word for word but based on a poem by Henry Van Dyke.  Another Dutchman.

The Ship
I am standing on the seashore.
A ship appears and spreads her white sails
to the morning breeze
and starts for the  blue ocean.
She is an object of beauty and strength
and I stand watching her
till at last she fades away on the horizon,
and someone at my side quietly says,
“She is gone”. Gone where?
Gone from my sight, that is all;
she is just as large as when I saw her last.

The diminished size
and the total loss of sight is in me, not in her;
and just at the moment
when someone at my side says,
“She is gone”,
There are others who are watching
her coming and other voices
take up a joyful shout,
“Here she comes!”
Henry Van Dyke                                                                                              



Thanks for letting me share this with you.




46 comments:

Rahmat said...

So sorry for your loss Bonnie, you have written such a lovely tribute for your dad, the words are so lovely on the card, and so is the card, and I simply love the ship poem you shared.
Sending you my thoughts and prayers.
Hugs - Rahmat xx

laurie said...

My sympathies, Bonnie. I'm sorry for your loss. What a beautiful card, and a perfect verse.

Irish Cherokee said...

Sorry to hear of your loss Bonnie. I will keep you and you family in prayer. Your card is a fine tribute to your father. Anyone who loves the sea and sailing ships will love this card. - Jim

Ardyth said...

So sorry to hear this news, Bonnie! What a wonderful card, too - beautiful words that hopefully bring comfort to you and your family!

LeAnne said...

Aw, Bonnie, I am so sorry to hear that, but I know you were anticipating it. So glad you got to see him before he passed. I LOVE the card and LOVE the poem; I am copying it for future reference! I will be praying for you & your family as you remember him.
Cyber hugs going out!

jimlynn said...

Bonnie, I'm so sorry to hear this. A wonderful poem, card, and tribute to your dad! I'll keep you and your family in my prayers. Sending you hugs.
Lynn

Jenny Engelke said...

I'm so sorry for your loss, Bonnie. What a nice card in his tribute. You are in my thoughts. ♥

Lorraine said...

Bonnie that is a lovely tribute to your dad. So sorry for your loss. I'm keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

Betty said...

i am sad for you and will keep you and your family in my prayers - your card is such a fitting way to remember him.

JD/ Jill said...

Bonnie so sorry for your loss. This card and post is so nicely done in his memory...
Keeping you and your family in my prayers.

Greta said...

My heart goes out to you, Bonnie. No matter what the age, loosing a dear parent is very difficult, I know.

Charlotte said...

My sympathies Bonnie, for you and your family. You made a beautiful blog post about your dad and a card that suits him very well! The poem is so lovely, I'm sure he can see it from the other side...
All the best,
Charlotte

Kylie said...

My deepest condolences, Bonnie. What a beautiful tribute for your dad. From what you say, he will love this card. May he rest in peace xx

Sue - said...

Heartfelt sympathies Bonnie. You have made a beautiful card for him. Love the verse on it too. Sending hugs!

Colleen said...

Bonnie, I am sorry to read this post about your dad. Your card as tribute to him is amazing. I am so glad you were able to spend some of his last days by his bedside! Peace be with you!

D'sCreations said...

What I lovely card and how fitting. I am a 'silent' follower of your blog, but wanted to say thank you for sharing this personal moment with us. How blessed you were to have had precious time with your father a few days ago. May God fill your heart with lovely memories.

Kristie Goulet said...

So sorry for your loss, Bonnie! What an amazing tribute to you dad with this card. So perfect!!! May God fill your heart with loving memories. xoxo

Virginia P FL said...

Bonnie, I am so very sorry for your loss of your Dad. It is so hard to lose a parent no matter their age. May you find peace and comfort in your memories and know that he's at peace now.

I too am a silent follower and thank you for all your wonderful cards and inspiration.

GerriK said...

Bonnie, I am sorry for your loss. The poem you shared is so beautiful. A great tribute to your father.

KimCreate said...

Your card is a beautiful tribute. Sorry for your loss.

/p said...

I'm sorry for your loss. These are tough times, but as you said he was tired and you were able to have a last squeeze of the hand and kiss. My thoughts are with you during this difficult time.

3treescreations@gmail.com said...

Thinking of you Bonnie.

OH Babs said...

Dear Bonnie please accept my condolences. I am so sorry for your loss but your last memory is touching and unforgetable. May many wonderful memories help you through the difficult times. Your card is wonderful and your father would be very proud. Hugs, Barbara

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

A beautiful rememberance card and a wonderful poem. My deepest symapthy to you and your family.

Parker said...

I'm sorry for your loss, it is a difficult time. (tears welling in my eyes) You loved him much.

Shawna said...

Dearest Bonnie,
I have been following you for sometime now and love your work. When I opened this message so excited to see what you have created I was struck with sadness by the first sentence. I am so sorry for your loss Bonnie. No matter how expected knowing your loved one will die you are never really ready when it happens. The poem you posted struck me to the core. Three years ago my uncle died of pancreatic cancer and upon his passing we all went downstairs to collect ourselves then I saw that exact poem you posted laying around with all the hospice info they gave us and read it out loud to everyone in the room. Sobbing with tears and loss at that moment I felt okay. We will be okay and you, Bonnie, will be okay too. I hope you take comfort in knowing his ship has docked at another port. Peace, love and healing light my friend.

Loll said...

Dear Bonnie. Such a lovely tribute and beautiful words for your dad. I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm thankful that you got to spend time with him recently. Take care. Loll xx

Cynthia said...

Bonnie, I'm so sorry for your loss. But I'm grateful you were able to spend time with him. That is the memory you will keep with you. Beautiful card too. I'm praying for you and your family.

Unknown said...

What a beautiful tribute to your dad. My sympathies to you and your family.

Brenda said...

I am very sorry for your loss Bonnie and I know that you are ok. I know you will miss him but thanks to the nurse, you got to say "I love you" one more time. I'm sure your father passed peacefully with a smile on his face!! At 93, I'm sure he was tired. My aunt was the same way, I had to tell her it was ok to go and rest now. They will always live on in our hearts and like the poem you have, they aren't gone, we just can't see them. One day you will see your father gain, and what a glory day that will be! I love your last card for your dad and I can bet he is looking down and smiling his appreciation of it too! Hugs, Brenda

Susan said...

I'm so sorry to hear your sad news, Bonnie. What a lovely idea to make one last card for him. Love the simplicity of it and the sentiment on the front and the poem on the inside.

MaryH said...

Bonnie, I had just emailed you, then came over to check your post. I am so sorry to hear of your loss. You wrote a most beautiful tribute to your Father, and what words of wisdom are in this poem. I'd never heard of it, but I was especially taken with the very last verse. I think this are words that will stay in my heart for a long long time. It was a wonderful way to express these feelings. We are sad to say goodby, but how happy are those waiting for this Ship to be with them again. Big Hugs. And TFS

Brenda said...

Oh, Bonnie...I am so sorry for your loss. No matter the circumstances, it's always hard to lose a beloved one. You and your family will be in my prayers.

Sue said...

My condolences Bonnie but what a gorgeous card and sentiment:) love the simplicity of it and fab words lots of huggles Sue xx

Colleen Dietrich said...

Read this post last night before turning out the lights, and my heart feels heavy for you, Bonnie.

I have read that poem before, when I lost my own dad at the age of 55 (I was 29). It is a lovely way to think of what happens when we pass over to the Other Side.

I hope your wonderful memories of your father help lift the sorrow you feel right now. Hugs to you. xoxoxo

Princess Judy Palmer said...

What a heartfelt card. I am sorry for your loss. It sounds as though your father lived a long and full life.

JoAnn P said...

Such a beautiful card, I love how clean it is. I'm sorry to hear about you dad, I lost mine last April.

Karren said...

Such a beautiful and fitting card, Bonnie. Hugs, my friend.

Mau xx said...

So sad that your Year started with the Loss of your Dad Bonnie. The card is a beautiful Tribute to him and the Poem says everything.
Huge hugs Mau xx

Wendy said...

So beautiful & perfect for your father, Bonnie! So sorry for your loss.

SYLVIA-ANNE said...

I am so sorry for your sad loss Bonnie.
The card is beautiful and so apt for a Father who loved ships.

You are in my thoughts. Hugs, Sylvia xx

Kim S said...

A beautiful tribute. Sending prayers to you and your family.

Pat said...

So sorry to hear of your loss Bonnie and what a wonderful tribute to your Dad and the card with that lovely poem is beautiful and just right for someone who made models of them. It's twenty three years since my Dad died and I still miss him. x

Jeanne H said...

Such a wonderful card and tribute to your Dad, Bonnie. Blessings to you and your family at this time. Take care. We in blogland love you!

Marybeth said...

I am so sorry for your loss Bonnie. Also so sorry I am so late in catching up.
Your card is a beautiful tribute to your father, wow 93!
Never too late for prayers and that is what I am going to do today .

Shawna said...

Hello Bonnie,
I know you are going through all your 'firsts' with your dad. I just want to let you know that someone in Michigan is thinking of you this Fathers Day. All the best Bonnie.