The quiet ones
It often seems that the quiet ones pass in and out of our lives without a lot of commotion. Sometimes it feels like no one notices when they are gone. I'm not just talking about the people who don't say much or are soft spoken. I really mean those who live their lives with the quiet exuberance that catches and enthralls but fades quickly in favor of fast-paced, noisy people.
Ms. Ruth was a quiet person in my life. We both took up bobbin-lacing about the same time but she pursued it with much more fervor and taught me many things in the years that I knew her. There were those who would consider her gruff but she was a wonderfully loving person. Her sense of humor knew no bounds. I am constantly and steadfastly amazed at her beautiful life.
Ms. Ruth passed away from brain cancer on Saturday. I didn't find out until Tuesday after her funeral. I am devastated. She gave me so much. And I didn't get to say good-bye or pay my last respects. There was no bulletin, no announcement, no large clamor about her death. Instead headlines of Britney Spears, Kevin Federline, and Pamela Anderson clogged my screen. It made me grieve not just for her loss but for the loss of the love of quiet people. People who gently live their lives in a strong and steadfast manner are set aside for those who live their lives loudly, with flash and no consistency. I mourn for a culture that celebrates these destructive lifestyles and allows for the quiet people to go unnoticed.
Yes I realize that the quiet ones prefer their anonymity. But on a day that feels like the world should stop and take notice it instead continues on it's deteriorating manner. Sometimes it helps to know that life goes on and other times you just want it to take a moment off. I want to shout to the heavens that this wonderful lady is gone from my life. Instead, I quietly grieve, I quietly remember, and I quietly continue on with what she taught me.
I know that I can be a noisy person. I'm loud and, at times, obnoxious, but I hope that my life reflects my quiet passions. That I reflect a quiet steadfastness. Because even though the whole world doesn't know of Ms. Ruth and her bravery and life, I do, and others do too. So I'm taking a moment of silence, a moment to reflect on all the wonderful, quiet people that have passed through my life. And I rejoice for them. Maybe they aren't as noticeable as some of the headline screamers but they have greatly enriched my life. And for that I am ever grateful.
Ms. Ruth was a quiet person in my life. We both took up bobbin-lacing about the same time but she pursued it with much more fervor and taught me many things in the years that I knew her. There were those who would consider her gruff but she was a wonderfully loving person. Her sense of humor knew no bounds. I am constantly and steadfastly amazed at her beautiful life.
Ms. Ruth passed away from brain cancer on Saturday. I didn't find out until Tuesday after her funeral. I am devastated. She gave me so much. And I didn't get to say good-bye or pay my last respects. There was no bulletin, no announcement, no large clamor about her death. Instead headlines of Britney Spears, Kevin Federline, and Pamela Anderson clogged my screen. It made me grieve not just for her loss but for the loss of the love of quiet people. People who gently live their lives in a strong and steadfast manner are set aside for those who live their lives loudly, with flash and no consistency. I mourn for a culture that celebrates these destructive lifestyles and allows for the quiet people to go unnoticed.
Yes I realize that the quiet ones prefer their anonymity. But on a day that feels like the world should stop and take notice it instead continues on it's deteriorating manner. Sometimes it helps to know that life goes on and other times you just want it to take a moment off. I want to shout to the heavens that this wonderful lady is gone from my life. Instead, I quietly grieve, I quietly remember, and I quietly continue on with what she taught me.
I know that I can be a noisy person. I'm loud and, at times, obnoxious, but I hope that my life reflects my quiet passions. That I reflect a quiet steadfastness. Because even though the whole world doesn't know of Ms. Ruth and her bravery and life, I do, and others do too. So I'm taking a moment of silence, a moment to reflect on all the wonderful, quiet people that have passed through my life. And I rejoice for them. Maybe they aren't as noticeable as some of the headline screamers but they have greatly enriched my life. And for that I am ever grateful.