Mamma Paison-"Funny the Way it Is": Rose Ceremony

Lauderdale By the Sea:

September 2010 -I really started considering how much I might gain from attendng this "bago'. It seemed well organized and well established. I knew I could not afford to go but was lucky enough to have loving benefactors who knew how much I needed this. I saw that some of the NYC Bago crew was going and decided it would be helpful to know more people. I always missed the meet ups due to health and they were a little late in the evening for me.

Then the Sept meetup was earlier in the evening and my dear friend drove. There were lots of people there. Some going, some to be convinced others we missed. What an awesome and diverse group! Another dear friend brought me to another later. Now I had even more widdow and widdower friends.

I asked a local friend to room with me booked my flight and started planning for January.

As time went on I found out one of my dearest widdow friends would be joining us. I started becoming facebook friends with many people from the board and the excitement kept building.

January 14, 2011---Best flight ever on JetBlue. Ft Lauderdale is beautiful and a happening place. met up with friends and soon to be friends at the Tiki Bar. The NYC crew went to dinner together. It was so comfortable.

That night I met so many people. There were laughs and lots of fun. I spent some time after dark alone staring at the sea. It came over me that although it was beautiful and awesome I would not be there if Mike had not died. Very sad but took advantage of the energy of all those great widdas. Slept great!

January 15 Saturday= I took it easy and one of my best widda friends arrived. Anytime I wanted to see people all I had to do was show up at the Tiki bar/pool area. Sat pm....wonderful dinner out. CRAZY WILD night at the Tiki bar!!!! Slept great again but it was a late night and Sunday morning was the Rose Ceremony.

January 16 9:15am Sunday- Different colored Roses were placed in a heart shaped circle on the sandy beach. It was heartbreaking. I needed my cane to get there. I think everyone was a little shocked by the contrast from the fun the night before. But it was important to honor why we found eachother and the common bond that brought us there and to show our love for our dearly departed soulmates. Someone who had been doing this for years was smart and experienced enough to big a big box of tissues.Some beautiful words were said. I picked a fully bloomed beautifully fragrant red rose. I picked up a peice of baby's breath to send along for Anthony. When I threw them to the sea I turned my back so I wouldn't know if the waves brought it back. Much sadness. Decided to skip brunch out and save my foot for the big dinner out. I prayed, meditated, read my kindle. Then little by little people starting coming back to the pool area and we had rest, relaxation, great conversation. Dinner was awesome. More fun at the Tiki Bar then time to say goodbye since we were leaving early in the morning. I now have a bunch of new facebook friends. Beautiful pictures and memories. Deeper connections. I want to go every year but unless my health and financial situation improve that won't happen. But I have my trio, new friends and I'll be sure to get to the City more.

Being with other young and youngish widdows is the best medicine. Beautful memories. Healing.