FanStory.com - Gert's farewell by royowen

August 18 would have been Gert’s 86th birthday. She celebrates in Heaven. In reading her obituary, I learned so much more about her. All I knew was her love for God, for Stan, and for her beautiful family. She wrote poems of faith and humor, while encouraging us all.

I already knew that Gert loved animals. I knew that she raised huskies. She had cats and one white cat who was deaf. It was her story that made me research and learn that up to 80% of all-white cats with blue eyes are deaf.

Gert was athletic. She could snow ski and water ski. She was a skiing instructor.

Gert was artistic and painted with needle and thread.

Gert had a heart for children, not just her own. She was a Girls Scout Leader and taught Sunday School.

Gert was a heroine. She was the first woman member of the Brandon Area Rescue Squad where she also served as Training Officer.

I browsed her large portfolio here and saw a poem where she confirmed that she had no fear of death. (https://fanstory.com/displaystory.jsp?hd=1&id=245906&userid=138449&tf=0) Her poem, “Why Fear?” was written in 2008, eight years before I started here. She affirms:
“I will never again fear
and shall not shed another tear
knowing my body is at rest
Doesn't the Lord know what is best?”

So we can hold on to her words that she is enjoying God’s great presence of Love, Joy, and Peace. And although I didn't know about Gert's many other accomplishments, because she shared what was most precious to her through her poems, I felt like I really did get to know her.

Saintly soul so loved by God
When on earth in faith she trod
Blessed are those who knew her well
Meeting through sweet poems’ spell

Happy Birthday in Heaven, Gert! We miss you! But your stories and poems live on.

Pictures from
https://brandonreporter.com/2022/08/10/gertrude-margaret-sherwood-85-of-brandon/
https://vermont.funeral.com/2022/08/09/gertrude-sherwood/

Author Notes Thanks to Tom for adding this to Gert's Memorial book which was set to poem forms.

Chapter 1
Where Azaleas Bloom

By royowen

Where azaleas bloom, I’ll remember you;
The smiles we shared and friendship blossomed, too.
O’er many years our writing was the key
To sharing views on which we did agree.
You also loved the smiles in my review.

You and Stan, a perfect match through and through~
How young you were, but steadfast love was true
When two hearts met at nature’s blissful lea
Where azaleas bloom.

The years have passed, and old’s replaced with new~
It’s times like these when we must bid adieu
When life will call and want to set us free
Because it comes without a guarantee.
A gentle peace now reigns and glows for you
Where azaleas bloom.

"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy,
they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom."


~Marcel Proust

Author Notes -When you add to the book, check to see that you are putting a poem in or prose. The genres default depending on who went before you. You can change it in preview mode yourself.

-The picture is by ajs1980518 on pixabay. The azalea bloom is from one of our shrubs.

-The rondeau is composed of fifteen lines, eight to ten syllables each, divided stanzaically into a quintet, a quatrain, and a sestet.

The rhyme scheme is as follows, R representing the refrain: aabba aabR aabbaR.

The refrain consists of the first few words of the first line of the first stanza.

-The quote is courtesy of Brainy Quotes.

Chapter 2
God's Abode

By royowen

In mountains green with skies of blue
There lived the poet Gert,
Who loved to swing, on breezes flew—
Her words were like dessert.

The buds of spring about to sprout
Along a festive road,
The fragrant clover left no doubt
It leads to God’s abode.

In autumn maples turn to gold;
October brings a thrill.
Its beauty simply can’t be told,
Each color-coated hill.

As winter coats the slopes with snow,
The fireplace is stoked.
Two souls before the flames will glow,
Warm memories evoked.

There’s one last thing that I must add,
As Gert would often say,
Today’s the best time to be glad—
God welcomed her today.

Author Notes Using words and thoughts of Gert.
Rest in Peace, my friend.

Chapter 3
There Remains A Rose

By royowen

The sweetness of love
Grows in time,
Formed with red heads of devotion.

A rose such as this
boasts of mingled scents...
Myrrh, and things born of Heaven:
Intoxicating—invigorating—
The rarest of perfumes—

And thorns...
A symbol of Love's great sacrifice,
Yet, the pricks go unnoticed
'Neath the silken blooms.

For love's within the flowering beauty
And held deep inside its roots.
It will not fade in mortal life
Or fail to pass the test.

Oh, Yes!
There remains a rose
In the hearts of two~

Author Notes Gert loved Neil Diamond. A trio in tribute to Gert and Stan.

Gert and Stan are such a marvelous loving couple and an example for us all. I will miss Gert more than I can say. She has been a wonderful friend and inspiration to me.

For these things remain: Faith, Hope, and Love, but the greatest of these is Love.
{1 Corinthians, Chapter 13}

Rose art courtesy of:
https://pixabay.com/illustrations/rose-flower-blossoms-red-green-1196476/@ pixabay.com

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