Friday, June 13, 2008

Isabel (1970-2008)

Some days before our wedding, Isabel had to tell us that she will not be able to celebrate with us. Worst came to worst, when sad word came through that Isabel had passed away the night before our celebration. So for us, last Saturday was not only a day of joy and celebration, but also of poignant grief. Kind of life full frontal (and I'm not even mentioning the stork that was sitting on the chimney all night).



Today, we had the sad duty to carry Isabel to her grave. It was a touching day and thanks to her family and friends, and last but not least Isabel herself, a day as eclectic as Isabel was and will ever be. Toño captured her spirit with the following words:

Poema para Isabel de parte de Antonio

Isabel es una de mis grandes admiradoras, porque le gusta todo lo que escribo y suele decirme que debería de escribir con más frecuencia. Yo no me atrevo mucho... pero a ella le gusta. Por eso quiero compartirlo con ustedes amigos.

Mi voz - entre otras cosas…

El perfume de las flores del campo,
el canto de los pajarillos al amanecer,
el llanto de los niños y su encanto,
la sonrisa de los ancianos al atardecer

las salidas y las puestas del sol,
las noches de firmamentos lleno de estrellas
y también las de lunas llenas
los dias soleados y los dias lluviosos

el ver crecer a mi hija,
el encontrar a mis amigos,
la visita y contacto con mi familia,
las noches de ballet.

Todo ello existe, entre otras cosas, para recordarme.

Porque yo me llevo tu voz, tu mirada y tu ser en mi corazón,
ya que tuve el placer de conocerte en esta mi vida tan corta.
Te dejo pues mi sonrisa, alegría de vivir y valentía,
entre otras cosas también para que me recuerdes.

La lucha contra el maltrato al débil y al desamparado,
la misión por mejorar nuestro mundo,
el compromiso por mejorar la comunicación entre los seres humanos
la piedad tan necesitada.

Y muchas cosas más, deben existir, entre otras cosas, para que me recuerdes.

Y poder estar así contigo, porque no me voy del todo,
ya que seguiremos con nuestra amistad a través de los recuerdos.
Porque viví, entre otras cosas, para conocerte y caminar juntos.
Para agredecer al Creador que existimos y somos.

Isabel.


I met Isabel through Toño. If I remember correctly, Isabel was the first of Toño's friends I was introduced to. If you were not as lucky as I was, maybe the following two links give you a glimpse of what you were missing:
Landscape dancing on the Golf of Finnland
isi eyes

5 comments:

Unknown said...

Oh wow - IT's hard to imagine what excuse someone has for not attending, but my heart sank when it said she died...

My heart goes out to you both, but more importantly you are lucky to have had such a great friend!

Mickle in NZ said...

Dear Gomad and Tono
What an incredible spirit Isabel shows, through the 2 links you kindly gave to the "rest of us".

I am humbled by her spirit and incredible "zest". What a wonderful friend to have had, and to still have through her wonderous self.

Sincere thanks for sharing, and Sincere care to Isabel's family and friends,
Michelle , xxxx

Ms Mac said...

Oh dear. I'm very sorry to hear that you've lost your friend.

What great eyes. They'll be missed by many, I'm sure.

xxx

Anonymous said...

Sad to hear about your loss,it's always terrible to lose people you loved and were close to you !Just make sure you'll remember her ALWAYS,people are only dead when they are forgotten!
Hugs to you both!

Michael Lehet said...

You boys and Isabel's family will be in my thoughts. I'm so sorry that you've lost a friend.