Mamajuana, A FOND REMEMBERANCE

This is such sad news. I wasn't aware that she had health problems and I will miss her. What a wonderful person she was.

For mama's daughter-- I took liberties with the pronoun.

Funeral Blues
WH Auden

Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.

Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message She Is Dead,
Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.

She was my North, my South, my East and West,
My working week and my Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
I thought that love would last forever: I was wrong.

The stars are not wanted now; put out every one;
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun;
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood;
For nothing now can ever come to any good.
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This spoke to me when I lost my father.

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Mama was kind enough to PM me on occasion, and we estabished a comfortable back-channel relationship, despite our opposing political opinions. Though we agreed on precious little, we shared the belief that each of us came upon our views honestly--and I respected her.

She shared her perceptions of people/avatars (funny), her irritation about some of her exchanges with others, her commendable political history, and her too-conservative grandson, whom she adored--(she was working on him! :wink: ) In short, in my opinion, she led a forceful, active, meaningful life--and pushed for positive change with her attributes and gifts. What more can we aspire to? Job well done, good lady.

Our last exchange was not the kind you wish to be your last. This is quite a lesson on what is truly important.

I liked her. I respected her. I miss her. And, I think we will all miss her unique touch of class.

Godspeed, sweet girl.

Wailing and tears running down my face.

Bellowing.

Well, I loved her. But she didn't know it.

jo/osso.

Oh no I really loved her so much here and on Abuzz.

She was mi amiga and it is hard to believe.

Thank you for letting us know and please if possible can we know where and to whom to send our remberence for her.

Sad

Mamajuana was a great lady with a quick mind and a big heart. She was an inspiration and will be sorely missed by so many. And by me.

This is ridiculous, it can't be true...

I feel the same way. Its hard enough to process this kind of loss IRL. Here, I don't know how it will sink in. Doesn't seem real.

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And ne'er brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And days of auld lang syne?
And days of auld lang syne, my dear,
And days of auld lang syne.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And days of auld lang syne?

We twa hae run aboot the braes
And pu'd the gowans fine.
We've wandered mony a weary foot,
Sin' auld lang syne.
Sin' auld lang syne, my dear,
Sin' auld lang syne,
We've wandered mony a weary foot,
Sin' auld ang syne.
We twa hae sported i' the burn,
From morning sun till dine,
But seas between us braid hae roared
Sin' auld lang syne.
Sin' auld lang syne, my dear,
Sin' auld lang syne.
But seas between us braid hae roared
Sin' auld lang syne.

And ther's a hand, my trusty friend,
And gie's a hand o' thine;
We'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

Yes ... Sad & shocked.
Too soon, too soon!

I did not know Mamajuana as well as others here, yet I mourn her passing as a lively contributor to this cyber family, I think these lines by Christina Rossetti speak better than anything I could say :-

Remember me when I am gone away,
Gone far away into the silent land;
When you can no more hold me by the hand,
Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay.
Remember me when no more day by day
You tell me of our future that you plann'd:
Only remember me; you understand
It will be late to counsel then or pray.
Yet if you should forget me for a while
And afterwards remember, do not grieve:
For if the darkness and corruption leave
A vestige of the thoughts that once I had,
Better by far you should forget and smile
Than that you should remember and be sad.

Wow...I can't believe it. I too have wondered where she's been lately. Didn't know her well, but always enjoyed reading her posts and felt like I learned something from most of them, as well. She was a smart, classy woman.

Msolga I was thinking of the same people, how we miss miss them.

I am really really sorry to hear this. My heartiest condolances to the family.

Mary E. Frye's I Did Not Die:


Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there. I do not sleep

I am a thousand winds that blow
I am the diamond's glint on snow

I am the sunlight on ripened grain
I am the gentle autumn's rain

When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight
I am the soft stars that shine at night

Do not stand on my grave and cry
I am not there. I did not die

Sleep well,
We will see you tomorrow,
But a while did we borrow
Your sound of grace.

Sleep well
Whatever we may see
Will be the eternity
And sight of secrets.



A part of us--a part of you
As you would have meant us to do.

I didn't get the chance to know her well. Didn't take the chance really. Now that chance is gone and I am a poorer person for it. I admired mamajuana so much, but I never told her. My heart goes out to her family.

from steve, at abuzz

from joanlee at abuzz

MamaJ is one of my favorites of all times, going back to Abuzz days. We have stood back to back and fought the best of them many a time - the best is that she had the grit and courage that so many only wish they have!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rest in peace MamaJ, I will remember you forever