Wednesday, September 19, 2012

The Journey to the West is Hard, Indeed

My lovely, talented, and most wonderful wife of almost 30 years, sixty years of age, in perfect health, who took care of herself religiously, suddenly and completely unexpectedly suffered a massive stroke on a Thursday afternoon and died on Saturday morning at 11.33 a.m. It was a shock unbelievable in its intensity for me and also for her many friends in the community. It was so unbelievable that many refused to believe it without further confirmation. Even now I find it impossible to believe. It was so unfair, so unjust, so completely senseless, and obviously should have happened to me rather than to her.

Linda was during her lifetime a daughter, sister, wife, mother, and the anchor of our life together. She was also at times a dancer, sailor, waitress, bookstore manager, researcher, anthropologist, linguist, scholar, teacher, chef, political activist, environmentalist, blogger, and a gifted poet. In the words of Walt Whitman’s, “Song of Myself,” she was, in fact, a “multitude.”

In New Guinea, where houses are constructed around a central post that supports all the rest of the structure, the leader of the group is often described as the “House Post.” There is no doubt whatsoever that Linda was our House Post, and now that she is gone that house will begin to crumble, fall into disrepair, and eventually disappear.

As a girl, Linda attended a Lutheran school and was steeped in bible studies, and later, in college, she also studied the bible. As a mature woman and anthropologist she came to realize and appreciate the superficiality of organized religions and the unbelievable diversity of religious beliefs around the world. Even so, she maintained her own spirituality. She fought for what she believed in, championed the downtrodden, neglected, and handicapped, and was, as she herself admitted, a true, “Bleeding heart Liberal.” She was one of the very best of humanity, a joy to know, a rare credit to the human species. There are no words to describe the void her untimely departure has left, nor are there enough tears to express our sorrow. She was to have become a grandmother in one month’s time. It is true, of course, life is indeed cruel and unjust. Now we are left with only memories of better times. The journey to the west is bitter and difficult but continues relentlessly.



5 comments:

Palisader said...

Dear Morialekafa,
I have been reading your blog, daily, for well over a year. It pleases me to start the day knowing there is someone else who shares my opinions on, well, just about everything. So I was very concerned when, without warning, your blog disappeared for a week. Now we know why. Please accept my sincere and most heartfelt condolences on the loss of your beloved Linda. I suspect there are countless others who felt they knew and cared for her based on your always interesting posts about her life and how you lived together. Thank you for sharing those moments. Wish I could ease your burden, but know you will continue to have a readership when you feel up to writing again. I guess the wonder of the universe is, some of us are lucky enough to find partners like Linda to make our "journey West" enjoyable. Hope you find joy in your memories of her.
Fondly,
Neil

Anonymous said...

Dear Morialekafa,

I am sorry to read of your tragic and devastating loss. A long time reader of your blog, I too, was becoming worried at your absence. Your wife was a beautiful person, a perfect mate for the incredible individual you are. I will always be checking for your next post.
My thoughts are with you.

Josie

Bubblehead said...

My deepest and most sincere condolences on your loss.

nancydrew said...

My heart goes out to you. I offer my condolences. As your other readers have noted, your absence had us concerned. So very sorry. Do take care.

Anonymous said...

i miss her....elizabeth