Saturday, February 18, 2012

A Day Of Rememberances

A Saturday of
Celebrations of Life
and
Mourning
and
Remembrances
A
day of
gatherings
to
Celebrate them HOME


This morning
many will gather
here in Clearwater Florida
to honor and remember
to
celebrate the life
of
a beautiful woman;
Mary Labyak
the "grand dame"
of
HOSPICE
...
Don Schumacher, The CEO/President of
The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
I'm sure will speak today
of his old and trusted friend...
He is a passionate and loving man
and
leads Hospice from up there
in
Northern Virginia
with
mission, vision and purpose.
I hope to see him,
and
am sure he will miss
Mary and her circles
cycles
phases
and
sage wisdom...
Together they were a remarkable
force!
When this picture was taken I remember Mary looking at it and saying,
"That's a pretty good picture, of 2 ole' Hospice broads isn't it!"
And then she laughed that
marvelous laugh of hers!
And it was a Good day!
Mary set a standard back in the day;
she spent her life
working for Hospice
and its mission, values,
and circle of caring.
Oh I miss back then!
I'm certain that many will come from all over our country to pay their last tributes,
just as many will come to see and be seen as well.
Through the years, one cannot rise to such a level without becoming weary
and without having those who rise up against you, you will make your share of enemies
and
there will be those who hug you with a knife in their hand and a smile on their face at the same time;
yes
even in hospice.
BUT
today they will gather,
they/we will remember;
a woman of greatness
who stood tall
and
spoke with a voice that could fill the room.
As mighty her humor and laugh
she could be as serious as a heart attack as she advocated as a Social Worker of the finest caliber.
They just don't make em like
Mary Labyak anymore!
><
We have to remember the pioneers,
to say their names,
to honor their contributions
and
stand for all that has been done
to pave the way
and
to continue to set the bar and keep the vision
mindfully.

We will honor a woman who gave great service to the Hospice world
to people and their loved ones
in communites across the Nation;
for the greater good of our country and the world;
people needing help at the end of their lives
upon diagnosis of a life threatening illness.
A woman who stood toe to toe
with many;
and went to Capital Hill
and was relentless in helping to make those there understand the importance back in the day
of having hospice services covered under
Medicare and Medicaid
and took a STAND
to provide access to Hospice services.
Mary thank you for your care and your service.
You will be missed,
you have left a profound impact
and
legacy
leaving shoes that are large to be walked in!
It is to be a day of
painful loveliness for many
as she is remembered.
Now, although gone too soon,
Mary is over the rainbow, she is in spiritland,
the heavens have a powerful force to reckon with...
She is dancing on the galaxies to be certain,
it is her time now!
Dance on friend,
over the rainbow
with splendor
and
that remarkable laugh.
><
Many thoughts and prayers
surround
Taft and Mary's family
now.
Taft Abras is a man I will always hold dear to my heart; alway will love in a place where there is no space or time, just as I loved Mary.
><
And up there in the state of
New Jersey,
hundreds if not thousands will gather at the church
where Whitney Houston
grew into the star that millions loved.
She will be remembered
she will be grieved
as people are still trying to wrap their hearts and heads around
the reality of her death.
T.V.'s are still at full tilt,
Nancy Grace is having a "hay day" with interviews and speculations
and
the media is a buzz.
the private funeral and service
will be broadcast live
on cable and the internet.
Seems to be odd that something private is being shown live
but
what do I know?
My deepest sympathies to
her daughter, her Mom, her beloved family as they struggle through today
and the many tomorows
that stretch ahead of them.
><
I hope and pray, they all have an "off" button on their televisions... a big body guard or three at their doors...
and a therapist that is NOT known to hollywood,
(I can recommend one for them)
><
It is a day of
Remembering I'm thinking.

and
with that said,
Let me end my thoughts with:

Let us also remember
IT is a Day
for the living
and
remembering to
live each day
with all you have!
It is a day
of great gratitude
for it is the only day we know.
Treat this day
and
YOU
with extreme kindness.
YOU
never know the path that another is walking;
not really.
We may say we "get it"
we "understand"
we've "been there"
BUT
truth be told,
YOU do not know,
YOU have not been in their precise and exact shoes...
YOUR feet don't fit exactly in another's shoes...
ONLY yours.
YOUR footprint is like your tongue,
it speaks and knows only
YOUR TRUTH
...
Walk YOUR walk
speak YOUR truth
and
practice kindness
practice unconditional positive regard
...

With that said...

Thank you to those who have served our great Nation
those who Are serving
...
We DO live in a great Nation,
if you don't think so??
Well there are other places you can try...
But this is OUR country,
show your Pride
and
let's stand together
for together we are stronger
than if we stand apart.
Just keepin it real friends,
JUST KEEPIN IT REAL!
"If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together... there is something you must always remember. you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we're apart... I'll always be with you.” Winnie the Pooh


Walk in Beauty,
DRSES
Healing Heartaches,
(one beat at a time)






13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good morning to all. Hope this day is going to be a great day with lots of memories of the days gone by with love and kindness. There will be tears shed of love and tears shed there will be no more suffering for Mary and also for Whitney. They were both great ladies in two different worlds. They gave love and happiness in their own ways. They both leave behind families that will grieve them for a long time and remember what they gave us. Gone too soon, gone to soon. Remember the peace and joy they gave us and forget the other things that could have been different for them and for us. We grieve but now we know they are at peace. God Bless their families and friends. God Bless the USA

DrSES said...

Good morning anonymous,
Looks like someone has jumped FIRM once again this morning!!! Bravo ... I guess she is getting the generic kleenex to "krumple" at Whitneys funeral since she does hail from NJ, and is sure to bring us back a photo or two when she visits...
Yes it is a day of remembering... and I thank you for being here.
Best of all things to you and yours, hope you enjoyed today's thoughts and the music!

Irene M said...

Yep, here I am, a real Jersey girl,
tears already streaming, and the coverage & service has not begun.
They just announced that Stevie Wonder will sing " Ribbon in the Sky". I came unglued at the news.
Dr. SES, my thoughts are with you on the day your friend will have her memorial service. It's NOT all about Whitney. Mary L. made a great mark on the world and path she walked. I stand corrected: the flags of NJ were lowered YESTERDAY on the Gov. ruling. I am still NOT ON BOARD with this.
I will watch the service with great focus, remember her & the voice. It is a foggy, cloudy, cool day to stay in and CRY.
Melted, unglued ice cream.....

fluff said...

Good Morning Friends - Sure going to be a day of high emotions for so many. Those in Florida in remembering a great lady who did so much for so many. My prayers for you Dr. Sherry and all those who lost such a dear friend and her family as well. Prayers for those, in New Jersey and around the world who also suffered a loss of a great icon and remembering a life too soon gone. Wishing each of you good memories of love shared. May you find comfort and peace this day. Be well friends. /Sandy♥

Anonymous said...

hellooooo.
good morning everyone, a gloomy Sat. here in sunny Fl. Mother Nature seems to be in tune with the moods of the day all across the country,and perhaps the sunshine will break through the clouds later on, giving all who are feeling sadness a lift and a peek into the vast heavens...
it makes me sad to know my friends here are carrying heavy hearts today, I wish for you comfort and friendship... I am thinking you {Firm ♥ } are so full of compassion and the gift of selfless caring that you make such a difference in the lives of those you touch, my respect and admiration for you is huge. All joking aside, the world is collectively a greater place because of people like you. The random acts of kindness you share with others via marble rye bread and apple fritters are priceless in the effect you have on those who know you. I also hold high on the list, our friend Fluff/Sandy who puts in endless hours of caring for folks and animals.. seems to me that if more people had your golden hearts .. oh, what a wonderful world this would truly be. This group of " gentle warriors" are too special for words to describe, from our dear Doc Sherry, her Mom/Cob and all of you who take time and make the efforts that really make a difference, I am proud to know you, even if it is through this "virtual" place... that being said, I will be reflecting today on all that is good, all that I have been blessed with and trying to focus on what I can do each day to do my share...
Keeping you all close in my thoughts, sending wishes of sunshine and peace on the breezes, and many heartfelt thanks ♥
hugging my angels ♥ ♥
sign me, A.

Anonymous said...

helloooo.
me again with a brief P.S....
~~~~ STOMP ~~~~
( and can we please find some duct tape for Nancy Grace ??? )
sign me,
A.

Irene M said...

Note to " A " : I have one better than duct tape: gorilla tape.

Well, shut her mouth !

3 hrs into the funeral service for Ms. Whitney. Whew, an education.

fluff said...

Thank you for your kinds words "A". Just got home from the shelter. Had a good day - three stray dogs returned to owners - one was little Yorkie had been missing since December 31 and just found a week ago. Had been stolen from her yard. One lab dog was hit by a car today and brought in with broken leg but rushed to vet and owner showed up Yeah - dog will be okay, one more dog adopted - A cute Schnauzer stray came in with a sweater on over a week ago - no owner ever showed up and he was adopted today. Two great cats adopted. Wow, busy day but a fulfilling day for the volunteers and animals. Thoughts today about those friends going through tough times today and wishing you peace, comfort and Blessings. /Sandy♥

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing Dr. Sherry, always. May your heart hold happy memories of your friend, always. Keep on keepin it real, keepin it here, day after day.
Beautiful flowers today.

Anonymous said...

Greetings on the wind friends. And greetings to you too doc. Thinking about you today. What a day I am sure this has been. I have avoided the television.I send prayers for all and comforting thoughts.
EE

fluff said...

Happy Sunday everyone - Hope it is a Blessed and joyous day for you. Sitting here eating Cherrios, drinking Chai tea and on my way out to church. It is a Sunny day here in SE Michigan but only 22°. Prayers for those mentioned here often and take care friends. Dr. Sherry, thank you for all you do and all you are. Bless you! /Sandy♥

Dot/Mom/Cob said...

Happy Sunday with waking up to 4-8in. of snow coming down here in SW Va. All is well, ballgames is over for another week. Today is my day just may get the sled out and try once again the defeat of going down the hill side and walking back alive. The thrill of it all. Now we have buried Whitney and Mary lets get on to living. Let them rest and peace and we must take the things that would have been and cast them aside, wish things could have been better and know they could have but people who are evil was around and sometimes people dont open their eyes to what the world does not know. Love the way we can now get the vidios without having to scroll here and there. That hat is the cats pootuty.sp). It is spiffy and I do love hats. Keep it real and lets keep the good memories and away with the bad. Wake up to a morning of love and beauty, work on our own family and friends relationships and leave no stone unturned. God be with our soldiers and their families. God Bless America. We love you.

Mom said...

Wouldnt you know when I dont take time to check the blog I wrote that all of these spelling errors pop up. So sorry I did go to school. ha. Irene you stay firm and scream, I am gonna scream for ice cream. Bet some of you remember getting the first snow and making ice cream. Some of these younguns want know what I am talking about. hahaha