Saturday, September 26, 2009

One year ago...


Where does time go? It is almost incon-ceivable that a year should have passed since Marika died. Her cousin Franci wrote to us today, saying "Years go by, now there’s one that has passed, 365 days and many heart beats. We think very much of you, especially this day." Certainly we have all been thinking of Marika a lot this year.

We had decided to spread some more of her ashes this morning at English Bay, near where Vicky and Mark live. It is a beautiful beach right in downtown Vancouver, along which Mum and Dad would walk when they visited.

We woke up relatively early (though not quite as early as Mum might have) and headed over to the beach before sunrise. There were already several people out, jogging, walking, feeding the birds (Mum would have disapproved of the latter).

We found a quiet stretch of beach and went right up to the water. The waves were coming in at a good speed, but were very shallow. We each took a turn scattering some ashes into the water.
We enjoyed the view for a few more moments, and then went off to have breakfast. We've had some messages and phone calls from friends and relatives, and will be thinking of Marika lots more today...

7 comments:

IVADIVAYOGA said...

Lovely to see all of you together, with sun rising and memories flooding back. I too sit here, in Tokyo remembering Marika as she touched us all. ixx

Carolyn said...

This entire month seems, for me, to have been infused with thoughts and memories of Marika. Is it the fall colours - colours she loved, painted, and wore so beautifully - that help evoke my memories? My thoughts are with you, David, Mark, and Vicki as I also reflect on how deeply Marika has touched my life.

Unknown said...

Dear Marika,

I too wonder at the swift passage of time - where did it go? How did we pass through all the seasons to find ourselves once more in autumn? Does the time go more quickly as we spend the first year of grieving marking the time of each first event - the first birthday, first anniversary, first holiday, first holy day, etc., since our loved one has left this earth until we find that we have come full circle to the first anniversary of their passing?

Today, David, Vicki and Mark spent time together to mark this first anniversary of your passing. What a lovely and blessed healing they gave to themselves and to each other in your memory.

Thank you for the bright light you shone as you lived your life out loud and to the fullest and thank you for the bright light that your spirit continues to emit to light the way for us all.

Much gratitude and love,

xxoo Naomi

alice said...

Sunrise over the ocean
Vast stretches of beach to explore
Birds soaring and singing
Waves lapping at the shore
Life's creations as paintings
All these . . and more! More! More!
Are you dear Marika!
Much love,
Alice
(for all the Madronas)

Anonymous said...

thank you once again for sharing your lives with us. I can't tell you how often Marika comes up in conversation and continues to spur me to paint and do art. She will always be in my heart
Love to you all
Lynn

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