Dear Richard and familiy, I am so very very sorry for your loss. Your personal tribute to her moved me to tears. Tears for your sake, but also tears of recognition. For this is a universal grief, as well as an individual one. Each deals with it in his or her own way, but we all know what it is like to have to say goodbye to someone you do not want to say goodbye to. So good to read you are able to experience lots of love as well. That you are able to see light through all this darkness. Laughter through the tears. Which is, you will agree, the very best laughter of all. I know, I've been there. That is sure to get you through the tough times yet to come. Your mother must have set an example for all of you, For you personally, for you as a family, and the people at LOROS who surrounded her with the care and love she deserved. Right now I can't contribute with money. I'm a humble translator and sort of broke at the moment. But as soon as I'm able, I will do my bit and donate. Promiss! For now I leave you with a few lines, that we as a choir have sung at the funerals of those we loved and had to let go of way too early. Singing those lines, I experienced comfort and love, They are meant to cherish, meant as a warm blanket. For your mum, your family and you. Regardless whether you are a Christian or not (I don't even know if I am, actually, but this never fails to hit home...):
God to enfold you
Christ to uphold you
Spirit to keep you in heaven's sight
So will God grace you
Heal and embrace you
Lead you through darkness
Into the light.
Wishing you lots of love and light,
Ellen Josée Westrik
Ellen Josée
2nd June 2018