Welcome to Fern Valley

Here in central Alberta prime farm country,my husband Martin and I work together raising beef cattle and Appaloosa horses. Fern valley appaloosas have long been known for their quality of temperament conformation and color.I have recently rediscovered a love of writing and have published 2 collections of poetry. "Telling Tails" and Tails Trails and Campfire stories" . I look forward to a future spreading my wings as an author and as a horse woman .

Monday 29 September 2014

Go rest high on that mountain




I know your life
On earth was troubled
And only you could know the pain
You weren't afraid to face the devil
You were no stranger to the rain

Go rest high on that mountain
‘Cause, Son, your work on earth is done
Go to Heaven a shoutin'
Love for the Father and the Son



This past week or so has been rough. Just plain rough . On me,on Martin, and his family , and on friends of mine. 
As you  know last week I had to put to rest my beloved Jazz. Difficult but the right thing to do . 
Thought ,that while I was sad, the worst was over.

 But my father in law has been quite ill for some time and that too has been a constant worry . I saw him earlier in the week, and he was looking frail and tired, but still chipper and recognized me and Martin, as well as bot of his daughters. Martin returned to work on Monday despite worries that his dad was failing , but with the promise from his work site that if need be they would get him home. Thursday Larry seemed to rally some, but as often happens that was the beginning of the end. Connie received a call Friday morning that he was unresponsive and he passed in the early afternoon. True to their word , his employer had him home in record time. The most difficult phone conversation I have ever had was to tell my sweet husband that his father had passed away. 
Rest well Larry, a sweet kind and honorable man , you will be missed .
The family asked me to write a poem for his memorial service, Larry was an Ironworker, building bridges across Alberta back in the day there were few if any safety regulation and when a 16 yr old boy could be trained and doing the work of a grown man! 
This is the poem I wrote for him, I hope it honors him and does justice to who he was 
A Bridge to Heaven
If there could be a bridge somehow,
From here to Heaven’s gate
You know that we would rush right out  
And cross it just to wait,
For a chance to glimpse your smile,
Or sit and talk to you awhile  
To say the thank you that we need to say
For your wisdom and love
And your quiet way
 Your gentle heart and sparkling eyes
Will be ever missed as we say our goodbyes
A bridge from here to heaven,
 Would be a daunting task
But if it could be built somehow
You would be the man to ask.


While on the way to the airport , my sister called, worried that I would hear this next news without warning , as a young girl I had a wonderful friend ,Lisa, her sisters and mom simply welcomed me in and became part of my family. "Mom Brown" was a wonderful lady and treated me as one of her own , even once letting me as a 16 yr old drive her treasured camaro! Ever the lady she handled great adversity in her life and the lives of her girls with grace and patient understanding . I had lost contact with this family to some degree, and had reconnected only recently with an older sister. We planned to get together but somehow the busy days marched on and it did not happen, she mentioned "mom " was suffering from dementia and while that spurred me to try harder to see her we just seemed unable to connect . The sad news is, that last Thursday night "Mom" became confused and left her home in a storm, and became lost. She died of exposure in the night . The thing Heather was warning me about was the newscast where the interviewed my childhood friend during the search for her mother . Seeing her in such pain, and knowing of the loss, broke my heart .
Too late now to see her again I will remember her always, and I pray for peace for her and her girls. 
And you my friends if you are of a mind to ,please pray for all who are struggling and facing loss. 
Godspeed "Mom" Brown .

I do hope to gather with the girls and celebrate the great lady sometime soon, but I am also mindful of the fact that we have grown apart and I will let them take the lead on this .

Stay safe my friends, and if there is someone out there who you need to reconnect with , don't wait 


18 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry for your family's losses. And your advice on reconnecting when it's possible is very good advice.

Buttons Thoughts said...

Oh I am so sorry so many losses is very hard to accept. The poem is perfect and made me cry but perfect. My prayers are with you and your family. Larry should be very proud of his Dad and I know he is.
My Mom has Alzheimer's so I can only imagine how painful this is on Mom Brown's family. My prayers are with them as they go through this grief.
Take care and hugs. B

phaedra96 said...

I am so sorry for the hurt you are feeling right now. The only consolation is they are no longer in pain. You will meet again.

aurora said...

I am so sorry for your families losses. The adage "when it rains, it pours" proves true time and time again. Your special poem is well written and so fitting, but the thing that struck me first - is that it's heartfelt. I hope it brought you some comfort to pen and share it. I am sure it means the world to Martin & family. As for your childhood friend, I had a somewhat similar scenario (sans search) she will most likely love getting together.

Country Gal said...

I am soo sorry for your losses . Your poem is lovely . My prayers are with you and your family .

Nuzzling Muzzles said...

Your poem is beautiful and I know it will comfort his loved ones. Three losses so close together. Please accept my sympathies.

Ami said...

I'm sorry that you've lost so many loved ones in such a short time. The poem is lovely, and I know the people you wrote it for appreciate it. (((hugs)) to you.

The Quiltwhinny said...

Beautiful poem. God bless you and your family.

C-ingspots said...

Oh Sherry, I'm so very sorry!! You know what they say about bad coming in 3's - well, let's pray this is the end for a good, long while. My prayers for Martin, you and the family, and also for the family of your friend. Big hugs my friend...may they too, rest in peace.

kden said...

Oh Dear, so many things at once. It is a beautiful poem you have written, I know it will be received well. Praying for peace in your heart soon.

Leah said...

A lovely poem to honor your father-in-law... such a time of sadness ~ sending prayers to you and Martin and Mom Brown's family. Again wrap yourself in memories...

Cut-N-Jump said...

I have always loved that song by Vince Gill. Very fitting as I believe he wrote it after the passing of his father.

Lovely poem for a man who likely could have built that bridge. If it is ever completed, it would have to be mighty strong. I'm sure there are a LOT of people who would line up to use it, if for nothing more than one more glimpse of a smile, to say things left unsaid or to otherwise find closure.

Sorry for your losses Sherry. Hugs to you, Martin and the family. I'm sure Larry and Mama Brown will be watching from above.

Cut-N-Jump said...

**Correction to my previous post.** Vince Gill began writing this song when Keith Whitley died, then finished it after his brother passed on.

4RRanch said...

So sorry for you and your family.

BrownEyed Cowgirl said...

So sorry for the multiple losses in your life. Hugs to all of you. Your poem was beautiful!!

Crystal said...

Oh Sherry, what a tough week. Many hugs to you

Shirley said...

Once again, my condolences to you and Martin. The poem was perfect, one of your best- so very heartfelt.
Tragedy usually comes in 3's, so I sure hope you are done for a good long while.
(((hugs)))

Sherry Sikstrom said...

Thank you all so much