Love and Loss

The last time I saw Kate

Steven and Courtney's Marriage Celebration

Dear Friends,


This poem was read at the Celebration of Life for my friend Kate in March 2011, again at the memorial hosted by her parents in Wyoming in July, and on countless other occasions. It also happened to be read at the wedding of my friend Steven who celebrated his marriage same day she passed away. On the anniversary of both, I thought I would share...

i carry your heart with me
(i carry it in my heart)
i am never without it
(anywhere i go, you go, my dear;
and whatever is done by only me is your doing, my darling)

i fear no fate
(for you are my fate, my sweet)
i want no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)

and it’s you are whatever a moon has always meant

and whatever a sun will always sing, is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows

(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud

and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;
which grows higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)

and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)

-- e.e. cummings

Love,
Jem

Bird Release

Dear Kate,

Yesterday I went to the bird release in your honor. He was the cutest owl I've ever seen up close (ok, also the first) and had only needed to be at Liberty Wildlife for about a month to get back into tip-top shape. We got to say a wish as he flew away in the hopes that it gets carried up to heaven to you. I selfishly wished that you will continue to support me on my never ending quest to become a person that will change this world for the better. You were such a great role model Kate and I will never forget all of the things you did for me and for the people I love.

The morning I found out that you had passed I called my Mom crying and she told me we couldn't be selfish about this, that we needed to be happy that you were not in terrible pain anymore. I am happy that you didn't suffer long Kate, but I am devastated for this world you left behind. You were one of the "good guys" and we needed you. On this Mother's Day you will be in my heart because you helped me grow into the woman I am today. Keep watch over us down here and we will see you again someday.

I love you!

Jem

Adele and Billy's video was much better than mine (I was facing the sun) so I am going to steal theirs and put it here :)