The Passing of Piastra - In Memoriam

[Merlyn]

Carragh passing is sad.
I too will miss her, thanks OakWyse for writing the poem, and thanks all for such found thoughts and more. It is a staggering blow, as she passed so close to the time I just went through losing my mom, now I feel as though I lost two..
So much has come full circle, and times which always example spirit as Chalcidoni always did.
I will dig in ye old Foggy Duck archives, which I have. But in her spirit, as I feel she would want, a new chapter..


"WOT YER LOOKIN' AT?!?!?" gladys bellowed, Merlyn had noticed a tear from the ogre's one red eye...
"Oh nothing Gladys, are you ok?" "NONE A' YER BUSINESS MERLYN , *SNIFF* ... WELL .." Gladys couldn't hide her despair, "ME' GOOD FRIEND CHALCIDONI PASSED AND NOW!! AND .. "

The wind whispered through the old oak door as the chains of the Foggy Duck sign seemed to speak like chimes in the night...

In Memoriam,

[Merlin Stargazer]

[Blaiddwen]

Dear Pepper,
It seems that you moved along to the Summerlands before I was ready for it, we never had the opportunity for the big hug that we had promised to each other. You gave me you friendship, supported me when I most needed it, and you asked for nothing in return. I miss you. In my heart you will always live as my friend, my sister, my Anam Cara.

Rest well my Luv,
Mark

[Twyrch]

OMG! I can't believe I just saw this...

Peace and Blessings be to you, Piastra.

Lay down,
your sweet and weary head.
Night is falling.
You have come to journey’s end.

Sleep now,and dream
of the ones who came before.
They are calling,
from across a distant shore.

Why do you weep?
What are these tears upon your face?
Soon you will see.
All of your fears will pass away.
Safe in my arms,
you’re only sleeping.

What can you see,
on the horizon?
Why do the white gulls call?
Across the sea,
a pale moon rises.
The ships have come,
to carry you home.

And all will turn,
to silver glass.
A light on the water.
All souls pass.

Hope fades,
Into the world of night.
Through shadows falling,
Out of memory and time.

Don’t say,
We have come now to the end.
White shores are calling.
You and I will meet again.
And you’ll be here in my arms,
Just sleeping.

What can you see,
on the horizon?
Why do the white gulls call?
Across the sea,
a pale moon rises.
The ships have come,
to carry you home.

And all will turn,
to silver glass.
A light on the water.
Grey ships pass
Into the West.

Into the West - By: Annie Lennox

[Fox]

Very sad indeed, I just came across all this and feel ... like I missed an opportunity. Piastra and I wrote to each other a few times when I first came on the board, but you know how it is, sh*t happens, and I never got round to getting to know her better.

But I'm not so dense I can't learn a lesson in life. Piastra continues to teach and inspire. 51? She was timeless.

I won't light a candle as I know she has found her way, but to a great lady and teacher.

[Beith]

To anyone who would like to add a flame...

I understand from Alferian that there was to be a memorial service today for Piastra.
She always used to laugh about her firey nature and she used the imagery of "flaming hair" lot.

So perhaps those who knew her might like to join the memorial in their own way, by lighting a candle to her tonight. I am sure wherever she is, she's as bright and vibrant and her flame burns as brightly as it did in life.

to Piastra - you will be treasured for ever,

love Beith

[Donata]

Thank you for letting us know Beith.

here, and in my home, for Piastra.

May she find happiness and friends in the Summerlands.

Donata

[Dryadia2]

Yes, Thank you Beith, for letting us know.
I have lit a candle at home, in memory of Piastra
as well as a virtual candle here.

/|\

[Silverleaf_Willow]

[Twig]

in my house, too. Late, as usual.

I still can't bring myself to delete her last pm....

[EarthWard]

Chalcedoni, the name to me was like nails on a chalkboard. Writing in blood red all lower case letters taunting you the entire time, daring you to come up with a retort. But as much as i felt her rants were that of a half crazed woman, I could not help but to read them from beginning to end. She was a true poet. I would never have admitted it until now but she was the reason that I ever felt that I was a Bard or that I had anything important to say. Now the best i can say is thank you Chalcedoni. You will be missed.
Love always,
EarthWard

[Papillon]

I returned to this forum this month after an absence of around a year for various reasons.

The first thing I found was a personal message from Piastra / Pepper, in continuation of a conversation about our literary interests.

I had been intending to send her a copy of a book, but despite my best intentions had not "got around to it" (in my defence M'lud she had said the same thing and also had not got around to it - I think we knew we had something in common!)

Imagine my feelings of guilt when I found this thread shortly after.

Pepper, so sorry to have neglected you back then - I know you are probably laughing at me for saying that, but I needed to say it.

I know you have gone to a better place, and look forward to seeing you there some day

[CopperLion]

To anyone who would like to add a flame...

I understand from Alferian that there was to be a memorial service today for Piastra.
She always used to laugh about her firey nature and she used the imagery of "flaming hair" lot.

So perhaps those who knew her might like to join the memorial in their own way, by lighting a candle to her tonight. I am sure wherever she is, she's as bright and vibrant and her flame burns as brightly as it did in life.

to Piastra - you will be treasured for ever,

love Beith

I'm adding my 2 clams worth here to keep this topic alive because i feel Piastra (Pepper as i most fondly knew her) was one of the greatest spirits that has graced this message board. Two weeks ago I had a very lucid dream in which one of my friends suddenly announced "She is here!", and indeed Pepper was there, riding on her dragon She lives in our dreams now and she visits us there

'till we meet again Pepper

[Beith]

Dear Copperlion, Papillion,

You know indeed she'd be grinning widely chiding everyone not to be so silly and to get their skates on to the Rowdy bunch party in the pub right now (costume dress of your choosing!).
I think you are right Copperlion in that wherever Chalci is right now, she'd be whooping it up in her own way, living big and doing all the things she couldn't do in this life. Perhaps indeed from time to time we get visits by our loved ones and friends in dreams. It's nice to think so. I hope so.

So I'll drink a health to Pepper/Chalci/Piastra/Carragh and to all who knew her and whose lives were touched by her.

sláinte,
Beith

[Twig]

I knew her for much too short a time.

[Crowsfeet]

After a time of wandering, I am back and shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Piastra to the Summerlands. She was such an inspiration to a new bard.

Blessings,
Crowsfeet

[Beith]

Chalcedoni,

Beannachtaí na Féile Bealtaine duit a stór. Go mbeidh tú beo i saol eile.

The dark half of the year has gone, the bright half comes with Bealtaine. I wish you the happiness of the light half and for a summer time anew.

Níl tú ach i dtír eile,

Beith

[CopperLion]

I wonder if they have "seasonal" festivals in the Summerlands I for one will be looking forward to Samhuin when the veil is thin and hoping for a visit from Pepper.

[Dryadia2]

I wonder if they have "seasonal" festivals in the Summerlands I for one will be looking forward to Samhuin when the veil is thin and hoping for a visit from Pepper.

I'm sure she would want a party!
After all, she regarded Samhuin as her Spiritual Birthday.

[Beith]

Hello,

It's already almost one year on since Chalcedoni (Carragh/Piastra/Pepper/Maria) passed on. She was a very great lady, by whatever name she was known - and a dear friend to many of us here.

Her anniversary is tomorrow, November 4th and in true Celtic fashion, I begin the tribute on the night before.

A candle in memory of a dear friend and wonderful person.

It burns with less brightness than she did.

if you would like to add your thoughts, rememberances or simply a candle for Chalci and her family, please feel free to add it here. I thought to open a separate thread, but perhaps it's best to keep this one as an ever-living flame to her memory.

To Chalcedoni - go mbeidh muid beo aimser arís,


with love,
Beith