The sun rose today, as always.
Did you feel its warming rays, Noela,
in your bushland resting place?
I did not know you would leave so soon –
I so dearly would have loved a last goodbye.
But,
we will always have our memories of you.
Your arrival warmed the ambience of the room,
with your vitality, your exuberance.
We will not forget, Noela,
all those times of laughter –
the fun at family gatherings,
the friends, the dancing, the music.
How you loved to dance!
Designer par excellence,
you put me through my paces,
as we nutted out ideas for artwork –
somehow, we always made deadline,
and how happy were your clients!
And you were one feisty gal too –
Tremble! All ye who dared to cross swords!
Ah, and the stories of your adventures!
Just one of your colourful narratives
could add a lively sparkle to a dreary day.
Such an alive, vibrant soul, taken from us –
unbearable, incomprehensible.
In our grieving memories,
in that terrain between sleep and waking …
were you here, or was it a dream?
A dream of a garden bathed in silvery moonlight –
was that you, smiling and beckoning?
Perhaps you fade back to your spirit world
While we cry out, futilely, for you to stay …
But,
those whom we love live on in our memories.
Sometimes there is the need to quell
the impulse to cry out “Come back, come back!”
But yes, yes! Come!
Come visit us in our dreams,
come haunt our classes and gatherings,
you will be so joyously received!
Fly free, Noela, dearest sister …
and in your spiritual adventures, may you pause,
and perhaps wander back our way again …
And yes, you will be greeted with such joy!
With gratitude to once again know your beloved presence,
a flame that burns forever in our hearts.
‘Remembering Noela’
