Letting Go . . .
A cheerful sendoff to my mother, Margaret Honton, 1932–2022.
Blessings upon you
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀And blessings upon us
Allow me to express my gratitude for all you have given —
By teaching me to be gentle with myself
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I have been kinder towards others
By forgiving my mistakes
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I have been redeemed
By affirming you can do anything
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I have achieved so much
By letting go when the time was right
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I have been set free
And allow me to marvel at your ability to connect with others —
When hosting workshops and gatherings
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀that allowed women to express themselves
When bringing the pleasure of words to children
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀through Poets in the Schools
When calming those in discomfort
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀with the healing power of Reiki
When showing the artists within us
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀the wisdom of our dreams
And allow me to delight one last time in your creative endeavors —
The way you transformed the sun’s rays into cheer
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀using antique glassware
The way you brought color and contrast
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀into so many cottage gardens
The way you found self expression
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀by piecing together collages
The way you assembled words and cadence
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀into layered poetic stories
Finally allow me to make good use of your life’s template —
To question everything
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀even when some things have no answer
To believe what’s right for me
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀even if others believe differently
To enjoy the intangible heights
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀even while acknowledging the need to stay grounded
To seek advice on the Earthly realm
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀even while praying for spiritual guidance
And so
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I send you my eternal love
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀and wish you
Bon voyage!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Adios!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Goodbye!
