
Eulogy for Larissa
Larissa. She was here for such a short time. Hearts quiver in her wake, enchanted by her beauty, stunned by her briefness.
We loved, we lost, we celebrate all we learned.
Airy flutes and wine-throated cellos sing out the music she taught us.
Silhouettes and sinews, grown stronger from our walks with her, stand tall against the sunsets she treasured.
Our words flow in litanies, psalms and poems like rivers of fresh water, quenching the thirsts of all who hear, as she quenched ours.
Darkness does not frighten us; she was always a friend of the night.
Above all, we value the day lilies.
She planted them in abundance, as her legacy. Each day a new bloom, more colorful, more fragrant, more breathtaking than the one before. She would take us into the garden, show us a single stunning blossom. “Look,” she would say. “Have you ever seen anything more exquisite?” We hadn’t. Like intoxicated bees, we leaned into the rose-orange-mauve flower with its ruffled edging of burgundy. The red-purple eye gazed at us with a serenity that spoke of forever. “Tomorrow this miracle will be gone,” she said. “True eternity is found in a single day.”
Because of Larissa, none of us is the same.
Giovanni’s poetry flows like golden honey, feeds the hungry. Because of Larissa.
Dani has never played his violin with such soulful expression. Because of Larissa.
Michelle sails through the Tour de France winners tape, hands outstretched in victory. Because of Larissa.
Donya chairs her board meetings with compassion and transparency, creates worlds that scrape the very sky. Because of Larissa.
And Benjamin! Benjamin captures the true essence of Larissa, working botanical magic, breeding more day lilies, reaching new heights of color, fragrance, and jubilation. Each blooming for one day only.
And that one day is all we will ever need. Because of Larissa.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThe picture accompanying your story is so beautiful, Juma. It’s nice to think of day lilies in November! Makes me long for summer; however, the point of the story seems to be to celebrate the present moment, not wish for other days. My favorite line is “True eternity is found in a single day.” So I will revel in the beauty of autumn colors that are all around me today! Good writing.
Yes, enjoy the autumn colors now, while we have them. Like the day lilies in summer, they only last a short while. Thanks for reading!
One other thing, Fuji. The line you named as your favorite was inspired not only by day lilies, but also by William Blake. “To see a world in a grain of sand, or heaven in a wildflower. Hold infinity in the palm of your hand, and eternity in an hour.” I’ve always loved that poem of his, and it reminded me so much of the lessons I’ve learned from day lilies. That… Read more »
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleHello, Juma. This line really leaves a mark on me, “We loved, we lost, we celebrate all we learned.” And I love the flower in your picture. May I know the name of that flower?
The flower in the picture is a day lily. They grow here almost like weeds! They survive heat, lack of rain, neglect, and they come in hundreds of color combinations. Some are even scented. In some parts of the American South, they will bloom from early spring until the first frost. Even though a single bloom just lasts for one day, the plant keeps putting out more blooms. I wonder if you… Read more »
Hello, Juma. Oh my gosh, that is a lovely flower, Juma. I look at them on the internet. I think I have never seen such a flower here.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleA truly wonderful, poetic and inspiring story, Juma. Reading it inspired me to search online for information about the possibility for lilies to grow in my garden, here in Colombia. Unfortunately, I see that lilies need frosty winter nights to bloom, and we don’t even come close to that. I have to be satisfied with the bananas, oranges, papayas, lemons and mango that I harvest. And then, I’ll enjoy reading about other… Read more »
Juma, your story made me wonder what legacy we will leave behind one day? Larissa sounded like a wonderful mentor and friend. The flower in your picture is so beautiful! I have never heard of it before. I’ve learned something new today! Thank you for sharing your beautiful story!