May Our Holly Rest in Peace
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| Marc, Holly, Suzanne & Maria at Suzanne's Wedding Aug 2016 |
It seems that tragedy becomes a right of passage during one's adulthood. It happens and one struggles to make sense of it and adapt to it. Around and around my mind goes wondering how or why did this happen?
I can't wrap my head around it. Just endless thinking about the scenario wondering how it could've been prevented. It is so hard to comprehend why it happened. Just a tragic and senseless murder.
My coworker and friend Holly tragically lost her life last week at the hands of her own husband. He killed her in cold blood. I write that not to shock you but to relay how cold and horrible that it truly was.
The details will not be recounted here. They are just too horrible for me to say. Just know that a wonderfully genuinely friendly and lovingly silly mother lost her life. And now her two children in their 20s are without their mother. And her own elderly parents are broken and have to bury their daughter.
With my Mother's death in 2009, I came to believe that time does not heal all wounds. It just doesn't. You grow more adept at handling your grief. But your grief is still there.
I am comforted by a letter I recently discovered that my paternal Grandfather Leslie Haynes wrote in 1976 to my brother Adam, sister Sheryl, and myself when my maternal Grandfather Herman passed away that year. I was six years old at the time.
"Dear Sheryl, Adam, and Marc :
We do not know or understand everything, but we do know and understand that there is a Great Power that moves and directs all of our lives. We call that power God.
The wheels of time grind slowly and steadily under His direction, and for each of us it is Life.
A great poet has so beautifully said that 'life is a stage upon which each of us does his act and departs.' To the unbeliever that is a tragedy, but to us who believe, we believe that God still takes care of our departed love ones.
Therefore, as the children of God, we can accept his will when that time comes.
With love and sympathy, Grandpa Haynes"
I am not as religious as my grandfather was but this gives me comfort and solace. My grandfather was a wise man.
I will remember sweet Holly for our private hallway jokes, looking forward to the weekends to go hanging out with friends at our local bars, complaining about having to return to work each Monday, comparing notes about what we did the past weekend. She was silly, had an infectious laugh, and was incredibly positive at work.
He cannot hurt you anymore Holly. God bless you. You will be so missed.
So sorry for your loss, Marc. This was a very respectful and lovely write-up for your friend. Well, I haven't become a total jerkstore yet and I promise to be around a little longer for you, man. All the best.
ReplyDeleteShe will be missed by us all. But now she is in a better place with More suffering. Looking down on us crying for us because we are still here living in this cruel world. God has another Angel by his side. We LOVE you Holly. ❤❤❤❤
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written Marc. Holly surely will me missed. She has gained her Angel Wings but way too soon!
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written Marc. She will definitely be missed by many. Holly has gained her Angel Wings but certainly way too soon.
ReplyDeleteA beautifully composed tribute to your friend, Holly. Although I didn't know her personally, I can relate to this event. Several years ago a good friend lost his daughter to what was ruled a suicide. And she left behind two children. This was a woman who I knew since she was a child. She was a music teacher who always had a smile on her face and put smiles on the faces of those around her. Her husband immediately cut off contact between the children and their grandparents, who were always involved in the children's lives. To this day I believe the husband was involved in her death. So I can understand your grief. Hopefully Holly's husband will face Justice for his deed. Some day I will share the full story with you. J.R.
ReplyDeleteMarc, I am deeply saddened for you and everyone who loves Holly. I couldn't read this as soon as you posted it because it hit too close to a part of my past that i narrowly escaped. Thank you for boldly sharing your hurt. I hope we, your readers & friends, can give you a fraction of the beautiful comfort your grandfather once offered you. (Hugs)
ReplyDeleteJust came upon this, and it just amazing how many people loved and cared for my mother. The amount of people who have reached out and went to the funeral just amazes me. She was the best mom anyone could ever ask for. She had one of the biggest smiles and her laugh would always make you laugh. She was my bestfriend. She is in a so much better place and is now safe. She is looking down on all of us smiling to see how many people she had by her side.
ReplyDeleteThank you Serena for this comment. I had met you briefly at your Mom's funeral. Words still cannot express the sorry I feel for you and your brother. God bless both of you. We will miss your Mom so very much.
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