While walking along Centennial Beach this past Sunday, I was telling Cathy (with a C) about being up to the letter "H" for this week's ABC Wednesday. So we started thinking up H words when I suddenly thought of my friend Kathy (with a K) now being in heaven. So we ended up talking about how Kathy's healing had come in a different way from what we'd all wanted for her. We talked about how she's now in heaven with our holy Father. So in honour of my friend Kathy (with a K) here are a few photos. If you missed my tribute to her, just scroll down to the previous post to read about our long and close friendship.To the right are some stained glass windows depicting Jesus healing the paralyzed man. Below is the mission in Carmel, California and a statue courtesy of Cathy (with a C) from when she visited there last month.
Although I'm not a Catholic, I visited a lot of cathedrals and churches of the Catholic faith when I visited Italy. At almost every church where I could, I lit candles in rememberance of my husband and my mother. I didn't need to do this to feel their spirit within me or close to me, but I found it to be a very sacred and soothing act of faith. I will do this for Kathy, too. I hope Protestants or people of other faiths don't think I'm sacreligious or anything.
I think of Kathy now as flying free as a kite with the angels guiding her into heaven and into the presence of our Lord.
I took this photo at the beach last Sunday and it made me think about how I will never see Kathy ever again on this earth. And as a human being, I hurt right now.
But I know she's just around that bend. And when it's my turn to cross over that bridge and around the corner, I know that she (among others who have or will precede me) will run with open arms to welcome me to my heavenly home.
47 comments:
When I read your H post I'm reminded too of the Hope of Heaven. Hope that keeps us going and knowing that someday we'll be with loved ones and the one that loved us first...
Dear Leslie, "Here at last says I"
To think it has been months since my last visit and while it may never be the written word always, you and your darlings are in my heart each time I pick up our newest sweetheart. She has teeth now and crawls around the room. I see by the summer photos on your past posts How much your darling grandchildren have enjoyed your summer there.
I missed visiting you and seeing your happy smile and reading about the many happenings in your life both sad and happy, so have taken this time to catch up on your post.
Dear friend know you are always in my thoughts.......
I am glad that you write about Heaven, Holy Father, Hope and Healing. We cannot do without these concepts. I am a protestant, but I also light candles in churches for my relatives. I love the grand atmosphere in cathedrals where the faces of ages look down on us.
Thank you for the visit! Hong Kong is a very modern town, with many blocks of flats, but there are also poor districts.
CrazyCath said...
What a lovely post. No one should think you sacriligious in anything you believe. As you will know from my posts I don't share all your beliefs, but I respect your right to have them as I have mine.
This is a lovely H post and the second one I have seen on Heaven (David did it too but more humourously) and both are good. You write an excellent tribute for your friend and family.
For what it's worth, in my belief you will see her again. And it will be without pain or suffering. ;0)
And now I'm crying...
Leslie, I am a woman of faith. When you and Kathy meet again, your bodies will be whole, and you will be clothed in a new, perfect raiment that will never dull or grow old.
Peace - D
My friend Grace, who was confined to a wheelchair all her life, dreamed of dancing. When she passed away, we knew she was dancing with the angels. Your post reminded me of Grace--another dear friend I look forward to meeting again when it is my turn.
Very nice thoughts. And thought provoking, too.
I grew up as a Catholic and went to mass every Sunday until really just a few years ago. I won't get into my religious beliefs or lack of them (!) but I do recall always enjoying the beautiful stained glass windows in the churches. I would often look at them and the sunlight coming through them as I sat in my pew (and listened to Latin masses many years ago!).
I have always enjoyed the ritual of the Catholic church but have some major disagreements with various beliefs of the Church.
I did enjoy your post very much! Take care.
Leslie, I imagine your memoir will be wonderful and I look forward to being able to read it one day in the future.
I am going to add you to my blogroll if that's okay?
Btw - thank you for commenting so I found you, as I see you must have been one of my lurkers!
i'm sorry to read of your friend Kathy..... you do her a very nice tribute and the church pictures are wonderful.....
seraphim
Where would we be without the promise of Hope? You have posted such a touching tribute to your close friend. Your choice of photographs add just the right atmosphere to your story.
(((Hugs)))
What a great tribute to your friend. I know you miss her but what a wonderful blessing to know that she was a believer and is now at home with our Lord Jesus in Heaven. I'm so thankful that your friend is in heaven.
Leslie
I read your post below about your life and times with your friend Kathy. My condolences to you and her family.
I want to tell you that this ABC Wednesday Letter H post is a wonderful and fitting memorial in her name.
Bear((( )))
beautiful tribute to Kathy
This is my first visit to your blog... lovely!
~AirmanMom returning to her blog...
What a fantastic and touching submission you have given us for this weeks "H", I also visit churches of other faiths, it is something we should all do from time to time. No you are not sacriligious in any way, this shows you as a wonderful person.
Thank you for commenting on my "H"
Gosh Leslie.. that was so beautiful. Made me cry - especially in light of your kind words on my post about my Dad on his Harley. He's in Heaven too - along with so many that I have loved and lost. Your love for your friend is obvious in your beautiful and thoughtful words.
It is so greate of you to honour your friend whit this post. Have a nice day:)
Very touching blogpost!
Beautiful pictures.
Very moving, Leslie.
A lovely tribute.
Your wooden bridge looks very much like the one on my Clickpicks page, which I photographed last Monday.
P.S' And I forgot to say Thankyou for your nice comments about my story.
Thank you for your H post. Some of the thinest places on this earth are inside and around sanctuaries - churches, mosques, synagogues - the radiate Holiness.
Let's say to everybody we love our feeling, try to do the "good" and make the world better- as much as each of us can! Everything will be better then and if one LEAVES he would have feel and hear snugness from us!
i offer my condolences. these are lovely words, and lovely images, especially that of the kite.
Touching post, beautiful pictures.
Thanks for your kind comment
Miss Yves
Perfect images to complement your loving words. Blessings to you...
Leslie, that's beautiful. Your friend is at peace now. You know, we should visit the Mission here sometime. My husband had an uncle who was a lawyer (at the same firm where I worked) and he became a priest and worked in the Mission. I understand it's very beautiful up there.
I'm sorry for your loss, but so glad you had such a dear friend.
Hi, Leslie
Beautiful tribute to Kathy, I was moved.
hugs, Denise
I really like that pathway and the bend.
I agree with Reader Wil. Candles of light and hope are always good.
that is one cool bridge. i totally just want to walk on that just because it's so cute.
A very nice tribute to your friend. You really opened up your heart to share it with us.
Thank you for reposting my comment. I'm not sure what happened to it but thought I had been here earlier.
Still love this post.
This is a lovely tribute to your friend. In sympathy...
Thank you all SO much. It helps to bear the sorrow easier when everyone is so kind with their comments and sending prayers.
Leslie, my sympathy on the loss of your good friend. It sounds as though she lived her life to the fullest up until the end.
Your pictures of clouds are lovely and indeed remind me of angels. Keep your hope alive--one day you will see her again.
What a beautiful tribute to your friend! One day there will be a wonderful reunion for you two.
Paulie
I also left a comment on the post below about kathy.
I didn't know Kathy but your love and your tribute to her, brought tears in my eyes. Everyone has lost someone beloved. But they still live in our heart and soul.
A beautiful tribute to your friend. I feel for you.
This is a lovely post and very touching.
A thoughtful tale. The beauty around us can be so comforting. I invite you to come visit my post and learn a little history about Coastal BC. -- Margy
Oh Leslie I am so touched you chose ABC Wednesday for this post as I know there are so many people in the group who will (and I can see have done so) share your thoughts and I hope the comments have been a source of comfort and hope.
Lots of love, sorry I am so late.
Thanks so much.
I am so sorry to hear of your loss - I am sure your friend will have open arms for you. Your post is a beautiful tribute to her.
Take care,
Kathy
Another beautiful post. I don't think anyone would get offended for you honouring your dear friend. I'm pagan and I use to visit some churches for their history, and I respect all faiths. This post was a beautiful tribute itself.
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