(no subject)

[zyzyly]

Hi.

I just wanted you to know that I'm doing ok. I got a good night's sleep last night, and have been busy getting things together. I am riding the wave at the moment, and try not to stop, becasue when I do, I see things like her toothbrush, and wonder what it is I am supposed to do with it.

I was overwhelmed by your ourpouring of love yesterday. Whenever things got to be too much out there, I came into my little retreat room and read a few of your comments. They sustained me, and continue to do so. I love you all.

When things settle down, I'll write about it, but for now, I need to take a walk.

Comments

[loachie.livejournal.com]

I wanted to let you know that although I didn't reply yesterday, you have been in my thoughts and in my heart.

[sly-redux.livejournal.com]

(((((HUGS)))))

See you when you return

[felixbunay.livejournal.com]

I remember feeling like I was floating outside time for a while...not quite on the same plane as everyone else...

[saladbar.livejournal.com]

We are when you need us! :) :(

[her-whispers.livejournal.com]

i wish.

i wish i could say something wonderfully eloquent to express how this all made me feel.

i wish i could say something wonderfully eloquent to express my condolences.

on more than one occasion your words have brought tears to my eyes. not sadness, but rather an over powering sort of emotion.

here is what i wrote in response to ldygwynedd when i read her entry about arlina, the first i'd heard of her passing,
i think it may say it best.

"i didn't know the time had come
until i read your words here.

you are so right, jean.
she was such an amazing woman.

i know that without ever having met her
(we all do).

as long as i walk this earth
i will never, ever forget
the love that they shared.

it is, it has become,
an inspiration

a hope.

and their faith...
oh my...
it turned my world upside down
and made me rethink many
many things.

*sigh*

i weep with you."

you are in my thoughts.
and you both are forever in my heart.

M.

[weaktwos.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad to read that you're keeping afloat. I don't know how I would fare were I in your shoes.

As for the toothbrush, keep it as long as you like. But since there's a huge stigma about using someone else's toothbrush (really, I'm surprised I never see them at second-hand stores), it should either be relegated to polishing, cleaning items requiring a brush like item, or tossed.

And finally, I'll share with you the word of the day from the Oxford English Dictionary. I do not foresee the use of this word ever being hackneyed.



helioseismology, n. NEW EDITION:
draft entry Sept. 2002
Astron.

Brit. /hilszmldi/, U.S. /hilisazmldi/ [< HELIO- + SEISMOLOGY n. Cf. slightly later ASTEROSEISMOLOGY n.]

The study of the sun's interior by the observation and analysis of oscillations at its surface. Cf. ASTEROSEISMOLOGY n.

1979 Soviet Astron. 23 641 The history of ‘helioseismology’ may briefly be described.
1983 Solar Physics 82 106 We now turn to the use of these measurements as diagnostic in the context of helioseismology.
1988 Nature 15 Dec. 618/2 Just as geoseismology elucidates the inner structure of the Earth, so helioseismology reveals the inner structure of the Sun.
2000 Astron. Soc. Pacific Conf. Series 198 353 We compare the results with the surface rotational rates of stars with the same mass as the Sun in earlier evolutionary stages and with the present angular momentum of the Sun as deduced from helioseismology.

[greymeowsr.livejournal.com]

Just take care of what you need to and take extra care of yourself. We'll still be here. yf, Tom

[eleanor.livejournal.com]

You always have a friend here in New York.

[kappuchino.livejournal.com]

Take care of yourself. That's one of the most important things right now. My mother had a helluva time getting herself together again after my grandmother passed away in September.

We're still trying to cope. It's hard, but every time I think about it, it gets a little better. It took awhile to get around to thinking about it though. And it still hurts.

I don't know what I'm trying to say, but even without people with similiar experiences, you aren't alone. I know I'm not.

[whipporwill.livejournal.com]

we love you too, Mike.

Beryl

[poetbear.livejournal.com]

do what you need to, Mike.~paul

[general-jinjur.livejournal.com]

i've been thinking about you. take care of yourself.

[catholicpsyche.livejournal.com]

My friend,

I wrote this for you after reading what happened on whipporwill's journal, but not wanting to intrude since we are strangers I gave it to her instead, and she asked me to post it here.

All prayers.

For A Friend's Friend

She seemed to sleep. It went away,
not suddenly - after a while; a sea-change, I think.
I float beneath her, adrift in the wake of her waking
or deeper sleeping, beneath a moon bright and white
as teeth garlanding the mouth through which I would sink,
not only in her gladness, but in the whole of her breaking
apart to encompass me. I'd give another rib,
a half of my life, or more, to breathe back into you me,
to float - not on this stranded sea, involuntary and
saltier than any ocean could be -
but at your side, a shared life for my solitary, now
adrift beneath benevolent skies: the house
of you, of your mouth, window to your porphyritic soul
that opens now to lay upon my sodden upturned cheek
a finger of words - "no peace do I seek,
for here begins the new life." And so you swallow me whole.

(B.E. Sewell, 2004 requiescant in pace)

[mactavish.livejournal.com]

That's . . . I'm crying now.

Again.

[catholicpsyche.livejournal.com]

This is such a sad time.

[ms-priestypants.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you are doing good. I wouldn't know what to do with the toothbrush, either. If you don't mind, I would like to know if there is going to be a service for Arlina and the details. I obviously can't come but I'd like to try to send flowers or something?

[serratia.livejournal.com]

YES! Or, if there were a charity especially dear to her heart, I would gladly send a contribution in her memory.

[mactavish.livejournal.com]

http://www.wellspringwomen.org/WellspringDonations.html

[http://users.livejournal.com/-reallyreally/]

When you're ready, please come to Philadelphia. Marc and I would like to take you out to eat, and into the city, and you can take more of your beautiful pictures.

[chaptal.livejournal.com]

walks are good.

[blistermoth.livejournal.com]

I'm honored that you would take the time to update us.

[ruralrob.livejournal.com]

I know you are very strong - your journal is a testament to that - although you are probably feeling pretty weak right now. And overcome with dozens of emotions. I think you have to let these run their course. Dont feel obligated to report back to us in any way until you are ready. And then we'll listen and support you.

We love you.

[niyabinghi.livejournal.com]

Hi Mike.
Probably sounds weird to say thanks for sharing your journey with Arlina, but what a testament to love, faith, courage it has been.
This was sent to you on Wednesday:
http://www.livejournal.com/users/niyabinghi/517877.html
<<>>>

[fried-pearl.livejournal.com]

Above all else right now, take care of yourself. Eat, drink, rest when you can. And walk. I'm thinking of you, as are we all. (((hugs)))

[busychild424.livejournal.com]

It's good to hear that you seem to be dealing with things okay, or at least continuing on.

Hang in there.

[daremo1961.livejournal.com]

*hugz*

D~

[pasticcio.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

[zhenzhi.livejournal.com]

when you are ready dear mike. please be kind to yourself. :-) xoxo

[parisgarters.livejournal.com]

I'm glad to hear from you and that you're doing okay. I know you already know this, but it's also okay to not be okay, if that makes any sense. We love you (as much as we can through this medium) when you're fine as well as when you're angry or sad or despairing or happy or none of those things at all.

I pray for you every night. I know I always comment that, but it bears repeating.

[calledisrael.livejournal.com]

prayers and blessings.
and the nearness of god himself.

[vaysha.livejournal.com]

God has illuminated me in both my eyes. By them I behold the splendor of light in the darkness.
Hildegard Von Bingen

may you find peace in ever step, dear one.

See you soon.

Love above all else

[saintgeorge.livejournal.com]

After my father died, we (the family) threw out a lot of things we considered extraneous. Now, 15 years later, these very things are what I miss about Father, the little apparently inconsequential things that defined his daily life.

May I suggest that you ask Arlina what things she wants you to save. I cannot say if Arlina will answer but from deep within you there is a "knowing" place that knows the difference between what is important and what is not.

In talking to other survivors, I find that the one thing that people treasure the most is the awareness they were loved. The material things pass away but the awareness of loves endures and increases with time. Maybe the most important thing for you to keep and cherish is the thought that you loved and were loved in return, not only by Arlina and your many friends, but also by God Himself.

[fathoming.livejournal.com]

I told my best friend about you and Arlina today, and we both cried for you. Thank you so much for sharing her, and your story.

[emocoresr.livejournal.com]

I was on one of my communities, and I somehow stumbled upon someones notification. I just wanted to say that I too know the passing of someone very dear to my heart. Although I'm only 15, I have had more than enough pain and suffering in my life. I just want to tell you, that you are not alone in this world, and that I personally care for you, regardless if I know your name, age or anything else about you. But I know that you are handling this very well, and I'd like you to know you've always got a younger buddy here in California if you need to talk to someone.

-Jonny

[(Anonymous)]

I've just learned your sad news and wanted to tell you how very sorry I am for your loss. Peace be with you.

terrilynn (http://seaandsky.typepad.com)

[winterknight.livejournal.com]

Be well. Our thoughts are with you.

[ex-muzer409.livejournal.com]

Fill up the iPod, put it on random shuffle. Walk, walk, walk.   Listen.   Love the one Arlina loved so much.

[cakefight.livejournal.com]

for me it was the toothbrush. seeing it was very hard.

[purple7luv.livejournal.com]

And we love you. Please just take care of you now.
♥

[blue-by-you.livejournal.com]

You keep things as long as you need to keep them, Mike. Just like you cry when you need to cry and you walk when you need to walk. You've been constantly on our minds and in our hearts. The hardest thing ever for me was realizing that no matter how prepared you think you are, you aren't. You can't be. And you shouldn't expect yourself to be. I hope you'll talk about her as often as you want and need.

Lisa