Thursday, September 13, 2007

Life is so Hard Sometimes...

It has been a very tough week here at the Pfaffl House, as we have suffered the loss of three people we loved. One passing, in particular, has absolutely broken my heart and I have hardly been able to think about anything else. This past Saturday, the world lost Rick Crittenden, a beloved father, husband, neighbor and friend. I have spent the last few days trying to write a tribute to this amazing man, but none of the words seemed quite right. Until I come up with something worthy of this amazing man, I'd like to direct you to his son, Michael's ,blog. Michael, who is like a brother to me, wrote the sweetest, most heartwrenching post about his dad that has been forwarded by hundreds of people throughout the week. And since all of my crying and thinking and worrying this week has completely exhausted me (therefore giving me writer's block :o), I will leave you with the words that have given me the most comfort during this confusing time. This poem was printed on the program from Rick's funeral.

Death is nothing at all.
I have only slipped away into the next room.
I am I, and you are you. Whatever we we were to each
other, that we still are.

Call me by my old familiar name, speak to me in the
easy way which you always used. Put no difference
in your tone, wear no forced air of solemnity or
sorrow.

Laugh as we have always laughed at the little jokes we
enjoyed together.

Pray, smile, think of me, pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word that it always
was, let it be spoken without effect, without the
trace of a shadow on it.

Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as
it ever was; there is unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind because I am out of
sight?

I am waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very
near, just around the corner.
All is well.

-Henry Scott Holland

8 comments:

Sharon said...

That poem is perfect. Making me cry.

I am so sorry it's been such a hard week. Sorry for the losses you're grieving.

(((hugs)))

Kim said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your losses. To suffer one is hard enough, but to have lost 3 people that you loved must be so heart-wrenching. I'll keep you and your family in my prayers as you go through this difficult time. I love the poem you posted...it's beautiful and I can imagine the message must have brought you some comfort.

Andrea said...

Jen,
So sorry to hear the week has been so sad and hard. You are in my prayers. *hugs* ANdrea

Mike Crittenden said...

Just wanted to say thanks for the kind words and I can't thank you enough for everything that you and you whole family has done for mine this past week. Sometimes, we all just need a good back scratch I guess...and I got one.

That Holland quote really was perfect wasn't it.

Unknown said...

I am so sorry for your losses Jen :0( Please know that I am praying for your family and for everyone who knows the people who have passed, and their families. *hugs*

Amy said...

I'm so sorry you've had to face all this loss at once. That poem really is touching.

Jennifer said...

Oops! Sorry, Michael's blog is "Sutures and Shuttters"--hee hee hee! Anyways, check it out sometimes--It's on my link list on my blog page :o)

Jennifer said...

My "Thank You Comment" never posted--I don't know why...but I really DO want to thank you all for thinking about us and praying for us--It means so much! I had mentioned that you all should check out Michael's blg--Sutures and Shutters--a link to it is posted on the left hand side of my blog. It is definitely worth the time!