Monday, October 6, 2008

In Memory


In Memory of Delphine

May 12, 1922 - February 24, 1999


The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. Psalm 23


I am no longer bound by gravity

I have left behind all the

Indignities and frailties of mortals

I am not lonely now

I have no pain

.

I am in a place beyond your

Imagining

I see the beginnings and ends of the universe

.

I hear the exquisite songs of angels

I am attended by those who have gone before me

I stand unaided, straight and strong

In God's light

.

It is all and more than He said

It would be.


Cynthia Ann Conciatu 1998


At my sister Mary's (aka Loolielouise) suggestion, in addition to yesterday's post, Chapters, I have posted the poem that I wrote for Mom's remembrance cards. I actually wrote this the year before she died as I tried to make sense of the death of someone who had suffered so much during the last 25 years of her life.


I've sent versions of this poem to many others who have lost someone dear to them, rewording it slightly to speak to the circumstances of the person who died. I find this poem very comforting as it is a reminder that although we have lost them, they have found everything in death.


Mom and Dad have both been on my mind this week because their wedding anniversary is October 2.


They were married October 2, 1943. The country was in the midst of WWII, and many of Mom and Dad friends and relatives were in the service including Mom's brother, Bill and Dad's brother John.

Mom bought her dress off the rack at J.L.Hudsons in downtown Detroit. If I'm not mistaken, she paid $25 for it. For their honeymoon, they took a train from Detroit to Texas and visited Uncle Bill who was in boot camp at Fort Hood. (Years later both my brother Bill and my husband, The Mister, were stationed at Ft. Hood.)

Mom and Dad had seven children: Joseph, Cynthia, Janet, James, William, Mary and Jerome. Dad died suddenly in 1975 and mom in 1999.

I don't recall the names of any of the ushers in the picture, they were friends of mom and dad and either were declared 4F as dad was, or had not yet been drafted into the service. The bridesmaids are (left to right) mom's youngest sister Eugenia (age 16!); Dora, mom's life long friend; Mary, dad's youngest sister, and Marc the wife of Dad's brother John.

Grandma Clara (pictured in the margin), promised that when all of their friends were safely home from the war she would have a party for them. The amazing thing is, they all came home! They had the party that Grandma promised. Even Mom's brother, Bill, who was severely injured in France recovered and returned home.

17 comments:

Betsy Brock said...

What a gorgeous wedding photo...so nice of you to remember your mom this way!

Blicky Kitty said...

Wow, your poem is so powerful.

I love that you choose to remember and mark the happy moments of their lives. I always prefer thinking of loved ones in those happy, glorious moments rather than when they died.

steviewren said...

Wow $25 sure could buy more then than now! Your mother and daddy were quite a handsome couple.

nanatrish said...

What a moving poem and such a beautiful wedding picture! They were such a darling couple. You write about them so tenderly and it is very sweet. When I get a scanner I will be showing more pictures of my family. I tried to make the picture bigger but it wouldn't enlarge. Did I do something wrong? I wanted to see details. later, Trish

Kalianne said...

So many beautiful and precious memories. Thank you for sharing them with us today! Your parent's wedding photo is so elegant and your Mom's gown is absolutely stunning, especially the gorgeous trail! What a different time they married in at the end of the war.

Shelley said...

Your poem was very comforting and it made me think of my beloved grandfather and to remember to be happy that he is in such a wonderful place.
Love that wedding photo of your parents!!

MuseSwings said...

Thank you ladies for your kind comments! The wedding dress is held in safe-keeping by one of my siblings.

Nana Trish - I don't know how to show the larger version of the photo either - I'm too low tech for that.

Lavinia said...

May the departed rest in peace. May those of us remaining cherish and honour their memory.

Tess Kincaid said...

What a beautiful and touching poem and tribute to your parents, Cynthia! Their wedding photo is lovely. They were such a good looking couple!

Marie Reed said...

It's so nice to read about your parents and their lives:)

Sparky said...

I love old photos and the events that go with them. I especially enjoyed reading about your family and parents. It must be nice to have parents who loved you like that. ♥ ∞

MuseSwings said...

Thank you all for stopping by and for your beautiful and heartfelt comments! My parents had one of those wonderful Polish weddings with the Wedding Mass in the morning at Nativity Church, a wedding breakfast, an afternoon of just enjoying the day and then an evening reception at the church hall. The dinner was made by the church ladies who turned out to cook masses of food (we still have the shopping list)in the kitchen and dinner was followed by plenty of dancing and fun. They didn't have the song Proud Mary at the time or that chicken dance thing that have ingratiated themselves into our culture but they did have the music of Benny Goodman and all of those other great 40's bands.

Anonymous said...

Sissy, this is the most comforting poem, the most exquisite description of one's entering into eternity. I, too, have shared it with many people who have lost loved ones and am proud as punch of you being the poet!

All of Mom's bridesmaids' dresses were of different colors and no bridal party today could afford bouquets of that size!! A graceful era that has passed...

Love you, sissy o' mine.
Loo

MuseSwings said...

Looly - thank you, and thank you for sharing the poem.

I'm glad you mentioned the bouquets! That has always mystified me! They're so huge and beautiful. This was a shoe-string, rationing, victory garden, war time wedding. How did they do it??? I forgot to ask Mom about that.

Love you too sissy!

dianasfaria.com said...

what a beautiful beautiful poem.
I have been thinking about your last post the last few days as well. it's so true how we find comfort in the little things.
This is good stuff M.
; )

soulbrush said...

this is so touching...you must have had a great mom. cos she's got a great daughter.

MuseSwings said...

Thank you so much, Lily and Soulbrush!