In Loving Memory of Vicki

Today Vicki's school honored her by dedicating the lobby of the school in her name. They raised funds to buy 3 benches and several plants to make the entrance to the school warm and welcoming, much the way Vicki was during her 20 plus years of teaching students at Morningside Elementary School. Each bench has a small plaque with an inscription that says, "In Loving Memory of Vicki Forfa..Dedicated Teacher & Friend...2009. The Superintendent, and Principal said many kind words about Vicki and then I spoke briefly. These are pictures from the lobby. It was an emotional room with tears as well as smiles and fond, lasting memories. I also shared a poem that everyone agreed was perfect and in many ways connected to the musical, kind soul Vicki was. I found this poem while reading my Minister's blog. It was written by John O'Donahue. It is wonderful.....

ON THE DEATH OF THE BELOVED

Though we need to weep your loss,
You dwell in that safe place in our hearts,
Where no storm or might or pain can reach you.

Your love was like the dawn
Brightening over our lives
Awakening beneath the dark
A further adventure of colour.

The sound of your voice
Found for us
A new music
That brightened everything.

Whatever you enfolded in your gaze
Quickened in the joy of its being;
You placed smiles like flowers
On the altar of the heart.
Your mind always sparkled
With wonder at things.

Though your days here were brief,
Your spirit was live, awake, complete.

We look towards each other no longer
From the old distance of our names;
Now you dwell inside the rhythm of breath,
As close to us as we are to ourselves.

Though we cannot see you with outward eyes,
We know our soul’s gaze is upon your face,
Smiling back at us from within everything
To which we bring our best refinement.

Let us not look for you only in memory,
Where we would grow lonely without you.
You would want us to find you in presence,
Beside us when beauty brightens,
When kindness glows
And music echoes eternal tones.

When orchids brighten the earth,
Darkest winter has turned to spring;
May this dark grief flower with hope
In every heart that loves you.
May you continue to inspire us:
To enter each day with a generous heart.
To serve the call of courage and love
Until we see your beautiful face again
In that land where there is no more separation,
Where all tears will be wiped from our mind,
And where we will never lose you again.