the place where you can find my digital collages and altered art

Friday, January 20, 2012

In Loving Memory


MARTJE
21 September 1931  - 14 January 2012

I had two Mothers - two Mothers I claim
Two different people, yet with the same name.
Two separate women, diverse by design,
But I loved them both because they were mine.

The first was the Mother who carried me here,
Gave birth and nurtured and launched my career.
She was the one whose features I bear,
Complete with the facial expressions I wear.

She gave her love, which follows me yet,
Along with the examples in life she set.
As I got older, she somehow younger grew,
And we'd laugh as just Mothers and daughters do.

But then came the time that her mind clouded so,
And I sensed that the Mother I knew would soon go.
So quickly she changed and turned into the other,
A stranger who dressed in the clothes of my Mother.

Oh, she looked the same, at least at arm's length,
But now she was the child and I was her strength.
We'd come full circle, we women three,
My Mother the first, the second and me.

And if my own children should come to a day,
When a new Mother comes and the old goes away,
I'd ask of them nothing that I didn't do.
Love both of your Mothers as both loved you.

by Joann Snow Duncanson



17 comments:

  1. My Dear, Dear Friend Julia,
    May I offer you my condolences. I am so very, very sorry to hear of the passing of your mother. You know that I understand so deeply what you went through. I really love the poem you included.

    Sending comfort and positive thoughts your way,

    Betty

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  2. Julia, gecondoleerd met het overlijden van je moeder(s), wat schitterend geschreven, zo waar ! Sterkte XXX

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  3. Beautifully said, Julia! I have huge tears in my eyes. So sorry for your loss.

    Hugs to you and your family.

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  4. Hoi Froukje,
    Hier je nichtje Alda, gecondoleerd, ik kon er helaas niet bij zijn gister ivm werk, ik hoorde van mijn moeder en zus en Marlene dat het een mooie dienst was.
    Via Anneke je etsyshop gevonden en zo ook je blog. Wat een ontzettend ontroerend en treffend gedicht.
    Ik wil je heel veel sterkte wensen, ook voor je broers en natuurlijk je vader.
    Nu ga ik even op je blog neuzen. Ik ben nl helemaal in mixed media en artjournal, ben gek op collage sheets.
    Liefs van Alda

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  5. This is both sad and beautiful Julia. You have created a very special page. Annette x

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  6. Thanks so much ladies. I feel so very peaceful about her death. We had a wonderful life with her!

    He Alda, wat ontzettend leuk je hier te treffen en ik heb een berichtje achtergelaten op je blog!

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  7. Hi Julia/Froukje, What a beautiful poem. Again I'm so sorry about the loss of your Mother. She seemed like such a sweet lady. I hope your Dad is good, he is a lot of fun :) Best regards & sympathy from one of your Canadian cousins ! xo

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  8. Hi Froukje What a beautiful poem and lay-out in memory of your sweet Mother. The digital images are quite stunning. Best regards from your Canadian cousin xo

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  9. Thanks so much dear Shirley and I've just mailed you xox

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  10. Sos sorry for your loss and your tribute to your Mom and poem is stunning!! xo

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  11. What a beautiful heartfelt post. My prayers to you & yours at this time.

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  12. Absolutely a beautiful tribute to your mom ! She is watching you from above and is smiling so proud !!
    Thanks for sharing and thanks for becoming a member of my Everglades blog-I do add some Dutch photos to it every once in a while...there's a cute video of Oom Johannes and Marlene...
    Take care, Ann

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  13. Ach lieve Julia ik zie dit nu pas en wil je alsnog mijn medeleven betuigen, wat verdrietig voor je. Niets is zo dierbaar als je moeder, het prachtige, ontroerende gedicht zegt alles, daar moest ik even een traantje bij wegpinken. Ik wens je heel veel sterkte om dit grote gemis en verdriet een plekje te geven, neem hier de tijd voor lieverd! De collage vind ik prachtig, twee lieve dierbare mensen, ook dat ontroerd me. Hopelijk gaat het een beetje goed met je vader, zo zielig voor hem, dat gaat me aan het hart.

    Dikke kus,
    Marleen

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  14. Thanks so much everyone!I'm touched by all your kind words!! xox

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  15. I am so sorry Julia....my mom passed away last October and I'll never quite be the same. I miss her each and every day...Such is the cycle of life but it is so so hard to lose your mom. Blessings to you and I loved this poem. xoxo

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  16. He Frouk,

    Wat ontroerend om deze foto van Mem en Heit onverwacht te zien! En het gedicht onder de foto is zo treffend!

    Liefs en dikke tut,

    Tjerk en Tineke

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