tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21736689.post3274830804183687415..comments2023-08-22T11:00:08.809-04:00Comments on Loose Ends: Love is the ContinuumPatrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10556860299477514075noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21736689.post-1082843171851521992009-09-21T07:33:43.136-04:002009-09-21T07:33:43.136-04:00I can totally relate to where you're coming fr...I can totally relate to where you're coming from. It's weird lately amongst all the grief how powerfully love shows its hand.tornwordohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16581361982939423598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21736689.post-75361581071456633332009-09-08T18:55:54.352-04:002009-09-08T18:55:54.352-04:00Years ago when my partner died, I had a similar (t...Years ago when my partner died, I had a similar (though waking) dream, which I took as a visit from him. I actually felt a warmth spreading out from my belly button...like I was being hugged there. <br /><br />And although I still grieved for him deeply, his visit changed the black pit of grief to something more bearable. <br /><br />I hope that you and your family can feel a lightening of the grief soon.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21736689.post-8705297170276386252009-09-03T17:12:00.261-04:002009-09-03T17:12:00.261-04:00Big hug for you and your family!Big hug for you and your family!johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16755439918003129391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21736689.post-41026080692650978282009-09-03T13:03:17.666-04:002009-09-03T13:03:17.666-04:00I share your mistrust of the way the word “love” i...I share your mistrust of the way the word “love” is bandied about, commodified, sentimentalized, patronized, and all the rest. If I hear the term “unconditional love”, as if people knew what they were talking about, one more time, I’ll spit. I’m inclined to talk about love only cautiously these days, as befitting its holiness, in the vein of “The wise man keeps his own counsel, for the times are evil.” I’m finding that I prefer to go at it obliquely, through narrative, when I write or talk about it. Or through acting on it in real life, and saying nothing. St. Paul’s rhapsody on love may still be the gold standard on its essential attributes.<br /><br />With that cautionary prelude aside, I think your sister struck gold in her dream. Both in having touched, been touched, by the quantum nature, for want of a better word, of love’s omnipresence, in its being the motivating condition of space AND time, and the allusive nature of its dynamic... “this love is that love, is that love...” No, it’s not always fun. Love and grief are cousins.<br /><br />I appreciate the dream’s inference that past present and future are only special conditions of carnal existence, love being the true and only continuum. And yet in some way the most touching aspect of the dream was in the completely endearing particulars of its narrative: the morphing pajamas, Christmas morning breakfast, gurgling babies, in which love is dramatically revealed. <br /><br />Student: Rabbi why did God make us?<br />Rabbi: Because God loves stories.<br /><br />Is that you in the center in the first shot? It’s you, isn’t it. Geez, were you a teen idol or somethin?! And look at James, drawn close in his brother's hug. His expression says it all.Joe Jubinvillehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09489419756833657839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21736689.post-7275135549476940422009-09-01T14:37:58.808-04:002009-09-01T14:37:58.808-04:00It turns out the Beatles were right: Love is all ...It turns out the Beatles were right: Love is all you need. <br /><br />Such a sweet dream, no doubt a gift from James to you both.<br /><br />xo, Pal.Greghttp://midnightgarden12.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21736689.post-61844792702400878802009-08-31T11:03:24.572-04:002009-08-31T11:03:24.572-04:00I remember when you asked me about my tattoo and I...I remember when you asked me about my tattoo and I was able to share with you the story of my beloved friend (who would have celebrated his 40th birthday this week). For me, this was a way to keep him with me always and to share his memory every time someone asks. Because we were able to share our stories with each other, it makes its meaning so much more special. I know we'd both rather not have to remember the loss of our loved ones, but there is comfort in being able to share our grief, and ultimately (since we have no choice) our joy in their memory. Mary's dream is lovely and your ability to share it is a gift to us.<br /><br />"Love transcends space and time."<br /><br />Amen. Hugs to you sweet friend.Pua; Bakin' and Tendin' Barhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01131566092479578938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21736689.post-26663547016394183412009-08-30T23:12:19.353-04:002009-08-30T23:12:19.353-04:00I have had similar dreams after the loss of a love...I have had similar dreams after the loss of a loved one. They have always brought me great comfort and peace in a time of loss. Thank you for continuing to share James' life with us; I'm glad he touched my life for a brief moment so many years ago!Rev. AJBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11756983769223625343noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21736689.post-90500981139162073892009-08-30T16:09:08.627-04:002009-08-30T16:09:08.627-04:00I forgot to mention the dream. When I was statione...I forgot to mention the dream. When I was stationed at Ft. Story, Va, I used to go into Virginia Beach and visit the Library of Edgar Casey who did wonderous things from his dreams. I can only think that these dreams are very important to have and work through during this time of your loss. I hope that makes some sense on some level.Butchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09481663364693052582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21736689.post-17799366349899708242009-08-29T11:14:27.188-04:002009-08-29T11:14:27.188-04:00What Mary AND you said...What Mary AND you said...Bethnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21736689.post-87438059535013059882009-08-29T08:09:55.318-04:002009-08-29T08:09:55.318-04:00That is an awesome dream. And the premise of all t...That is an awesome dream. And the premise of all things existing at once is not so far fetched. The block universe theory, which is suggested by Einstein's work basically says the same thing. I like the idea of love being the element of continuity.tornwordohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16581361982939423598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21736689.post-82727525513597966642009-08-29T00:10:11.514-04:002009-08-29T00:10:11.514-04:00The pics are a wonderful time capsule of your mean...The pics are a wonderful time capsule of your meaningful and colourful life. I liked them very much. When was the last time I ever wore pajamas?! ;-)<br /><br />Your words are very touching, thanks for sharing your life.Butchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09481663364693052582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21736689.post-63854752184371124452009-08-27T22:05:59.066-04:002009-08-27T22:05:59.066-04:00This makes my heart ache, but in a good way. Engli...This makes my heart ache, but in a good way. English really makes us struggle to adequately describe love in any of its forms. I do honestly believe love binds us spiritually; perhaps that was what Mary experienced in a very concrete way. That you both found comfort in her dream speaks to its authenticity.<br /><br />This is the deep love of quiet understanding. May it give you much peace.Birdiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12852713057094279347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21736689.post-13158629914422565292009-08-27T14:30:49.372-04:002009-08-27T14:30:49.372-04:00Very moving and meaningful, Patrick. Thanks to bo...Very moving and meaningful, Patrick. Thanks to both you and Mary for sharing. I know that this has been an unbelievably sad time for you, but the one blessing of this tragedy from my personal perspective is that I became aware of your blog. I've enjoyed "catching up" with you. :) Take care... - Jenny Nordstrom EC'89Jennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08243359652248845203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21736689.post-4513956699508133312009-08-26T16:40:18.230-04:002009-08-26T16:40:18.230-04:00Mary's dream seems to be very helpful, and not...Mary's dream seems to be very helpful, and not just to her. It's good that she shared it. Thank you and Mary for passing it on. Though it doesn't relate specifically to anything I am living now, the general principles certainly do.Javahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17377033663576614925noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21736689.post-60775576102441909992009-08-26T13:45:28.262-04:002009-08-26T13:45:28.262-04:00This is very healing for you. I took care of my mo...This is very healing for you. I took care of my mother the last few years of her life and when she passed it was very hard on me. After about three weeks I was dreaming and Mom was there and looking like a million dollars. She said something about "doesn't my hair look nice?" I told her it did and then said "Wait a minitue, you are dead." Then I reached out and touched her and physically touched her.<br /><br />People can say what they want about it but it was a real experience for me and I firmly believe that it was her way of letting me know that she was all right and no longer had to carry an oxygen bottle wherever she went. I have been following your story on your blog and have mourned James with you. I am sure we are all a part of the Love called God and will be rejoined in the future. God (L:ove) bless.jaycoles@gmail.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16299489611656202052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21736689.post-83961316165596762232009-08-26T13:27:56.693-04:002009-08-26T13:27:56.693-04:00I completely, absolutely and literally agree, and ...I completely, absolutely and literally agree, and appreciate the reminders from both you and your sister, Patrick. All my love.<br /><br />And because you love fun words, my verification:<br />ranisfepJeffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02728223817801458234noreply@blogger.com