Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Good bye Gerri

The time has come to announce that Gerri has passed away peacefully at 3:30 this morning (March 22, 2011) at Campbell River Hospital.

The following arrangements were made:
Funeral Services were held on Saturday, March 26, 2011.
To everyone's surprise and delight Gerri left a video with her last words to her friends. 
Gerri's last words that she addressed to her family and friends is now online.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Campbell River Hospital, the Campbell River Hospice Program, or the charity of your choice. Again we'll ask you to not arrange for any deliveries to Gerri's address, there will be nobody there to receive them. 


I saw Gerri the last time on March 17 when she asked me to say good-bye to everyone with the previous post. On March 19 she requested to be transferred to Campbell River Hospital. She wanted to be alone, at rest, answer no more questions "how do you feel?", make no decisions, receive no treatments, except for pain to keep her comfortable. She left strict instructions not to be disturbed by anyone.

There is really not much left to say. Those who knew her understand that she was a woman of action, and waiting for the moment under the gaze of others was agony. She knew that the time was close, she was ready to go, so she made it happen her way. She entered this world alone, and she left it alone.

This is a poem that gives me a lot of comfort. Gerri loved it too.
This is for all of her friends who feel the great loss of Gerri gone from this world. She'll never be gone from our heart!
Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.
Mary Frye
Perhaps you won't see Gerri's obituary in your local paper. See it here.

2 comments:

  1. Tribute to Dr Geraldine Graber, mother and Grandmother.

    Though one may to be well prepared for a situation, until it comes to pass, one will never realize how fragile one is. My pen is still and my tongue so heavy to befittingly give tribute where it is due. To dwell on the afflicting arrows of this departure will be like eating a grain of sand in a delicious plate of rice. Whereas the departed likened this to a nuptial flight. The final stage in the steady progress of the seeker towards the land of the Beloved. Yes, “there is no death, life is everlasting”.

    Sweet mother, most loving,
    Ever tender, forever caring.
    Best companion, no doubt in my mind.
    Precious mother rare to find.
    Most generous, unique in your kind.
    Mother of hope, visionary.
    Now and forever a mentor indeed.


    Buoyant in spirit, light to humanity.
    Ever giving, Fountain of generosity.
    Mother of the voiceless of Africa
    Queen of the willing hearts,
    Balm to every afflicted soul.

    A faithful bride you waited with longing desire.
    With the wings of Faith you hasten to your eternal abode
    Resolute of Faith the bird left the mortal cage.
    The maids of heaven consumed in waiting.
    Their hearts throbbing in their eagerness to receive the bride.
    The Blessed Beauty your groom forever.


    As you hasten to the land of the beloved.
    To partake of the cup that is life indeed.
    The gift of everlasting life.
    Where else could a lover go?
    But to partake of the communion with celestial concourse.
    A true celebration of life , your ardent desire.



    Though the shafts of separation pierce through my heart, methinks
    You smile on us as the maids of the loftiest mansion of paradise smile at you.
    Intercede that this wee Gerry should live to be Gerri.
    That this little bower may blossom with the roses of love for the regeneration of this generation.

    Adieu mum till we shall meet in the higher realm where we part no more.
    (Mokuh, Gerry and Vena.)

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  2. I tried not to reconcile myself to Gerri's quick departure, as I had told her in the last email that passed between us that I would see her in April, when I returned to Canada. I had hoped fervently that I would be able to see her and say "ta ta for now. " Now that she has winged her way to the Abha Kingdom, I will pray for her, direct prayers to her, and pray that her very busy schedule now can include being an angel at my side, as she was an earthly one to me during our time here. She is forever in my heart.I am humbled by the friendship and love she so freely gave to me, by her enormous service to the world, and her utter joy in her closeness to God. What a blessing to have had Gerri in my life; her stellar presence is greatly missed.
    Deborah

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