I was very young when I first learned the word 'melancholy' from Disney's 1959 movie Sleeping Beauty. I remember originally associating the word with melons and thus, to a 5 year old, it was happy word.
Well, it's not. And I'm sure one of my parents corrected this thinking pretty immediately. And though it's generally perceived to mean a period of prolonged gloom, it 's extended definition offers a glimmer of light that reads "pensive or soberly thoughtful".
My Grandma Mary passed away this past Sunday. She was a preacher's wife who did not sing alto in the church choir and would answer the door with a beer in one hand and a cigarette in the other. And she would certainly not put down either of these items to hug you. She was quite the character and will be beyond missed.
I don't know if I believe in heaven, per se, but I think that wherever she is now is a joyful place. I'm sure she's reunited with Grandpa Jim (aka Big Jimmy) by now and they are slow dancing to Sinatra in the smoking section. And I certainly believe they are celebrating the holidays and the beautiful family that they had made together and are so proud of.
My colleague also lost someone dear to him earlier this week. We were discussing this dreary weather and the melancholy tone of this holiday season in New England and he turned to me and said "ya know, there's just no 'merry' this Christmas".
And after some sobered thought, I refuse to believe that.
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We love and miss you Elin! Those in our lives with whom we have close connections never die, they continue to live on in our thoughts, dreams and prayers. Sometimes my mother is as close to me as when she was alive. Your grandmother Mary, who I only met last August, was a wonderful woman and her memories (as your missive above proves) continues to live and affect your life. Don't let anything take the "Merry" from you "Christmas." Certainly Mary, or my mother, would not want that to happen.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas.