Condolence:
I was saddened to learn of the passing of Edith Newton. For the few, brief years I had known her, she and her husband, Carroll, were both very welcoming and kind to me. I truly enjoyed the time I spent in Edith’s company, as chatting with her was a true delight, just as chatting with her husband was equally enjoyable.

Edith and her husband were both very generous to me, generous of both their time, and their Human Spirit.

I have very fond memories of Sundays at their little lake behind Joyce’s Home. It was a special time to go fishing on the lake, and then have a meal with the family at Carroll’s and Edith’s trailer on the lake. Sometimes we were all treated to some fresh “Snapping Turtle”, cooked to perfection.

And for all of Edith’s Family, and Loved Ones, I Offer This:

May Good Fortune, Good Health, Happiness, And The Many Blessings Of This Good Life Fall Upon You In Abundance, And Remain Forever, Your Constant Companions.

I wrote the poem I have included below, right after the Mother of a High School Friend of mine had passed away, one year ago. So I dedicated the poem to her memory.

But, since this poem is really about “All Mothers”, I hereby dedicate this poem to the Life and Memory of Edith Newton.



Inhale Exhale
(Born & Born Again)

Mother:
She is the wellspring
Of your life.

You emerge
From within
That soothing security,
That loving comfort
Of your Mother’s
Body.

Your blood,
Your bone,
Your flesh,
Your body
Is of her body.

Now disconnected,
Separated,
You cry,
You wail
At your profound loss.

You Inhale!

From that moment
Of your new life,
Though separated
In the flesh,
Your Mother
Will remain
Your refuge,
Your fortress of healing
To soothe
Your hurt,
Your pain,
Your suffering.

And she will be
Your Joshua’s Horn,
Trumpeting your successes,
And extolling your virtues
To the world
In resounding
Celebration;
And crumbling
The self-imposed walls
Of your own insecurities,
Your uncertainties,
Your fears.

And as your
Own life
Blossoms,
As you grow
Into your
Own body
And find your way
In life;
Still,
Still you will seek
To reconnect
To your Mother,
To be soothed,
To be comforted,
To be instilled
With hopefulness
Within the refuge
Of her love.

For nothing
Of this Earth,
Nothing of the flesh,
Or of the Human Spirit,
Connects you to your
Own life,
As does your
Mother.

And when that
Day arrives,
As it will
For you,
As it does
For us all,
And your
Mother,
For the very
Last time:

Exhales!

You will cry,
And you will wail
Once again
For your
Profound loss;
Just as you did
As a child
Born of a new life.

And indeed,
There will be
New Life,
For your
Mother’s
Human Spirit
Will be Reborn
Into God’s Kingdom;
And she will become
A Child of God!

And when
Your tears
Have lessened,
You can rejoice
And celebrate
Your Mother’s
New Life.

And in the days
That follow,
When you
Require refuge,
When you seek
Comfort,
And healing,
Just close your
Eyes
And imagine
Yourself
Held within
Your Mother’s arms,
And immersed
Within your
Mother’s Love.

And if you
Remain still,
And strong
In your belief,
I am certain
You will hear
The Trumpeting
Of Joshua’s Horn.

CWCrouch/MLC
August 12, 2015