Love Abundant

Yesterday I learned a dear friend suffered a heart wrenching loss – the unexpected passing of a dear uncle. She said she’d felt a tug to reach out to him over the past few months but didn’t slow down to do so.

How close to home does that confession hit? Too close. Too close for me.

On days when I think I can’t add one more task or duty, if a dear one pops to mind, I pause. A quick phone call or a text. Don’t question. Just do.

There’s not a thing in the world my friend could’ve done to alter the course of events for her uncle. Not a blessed thing and yet the emotional weight she’s carrying for not taking the time…for one last outreach, even if it was only one-way? I see how it’s compounding her grief.

 “It would’ve taken no time at all,” she said.

While I’m doing what I can to support her, I see the applicability of her insight, as I swivel it in my direction.

Make haste. Take action.

For comfort, I invoke a quote from poet Kamand Kojouri reminding me that the modest effort involved to keep loved ones close…even if only in memories…is time well spent.

Head and heart up, I recite Kojouri’s simple, yet profound statement:

“I will look for you in every lifetime and love you there.”

A sentiment which settles me; reminds me to slow down and remember. Reach out. Tell the stories. Talk about the ones we’ve lost. With love abundant.

Vicki 💗

P.S. Yesterday was the ninth anniversary of my mom, Sue’s passing. I figured the Universe was speaking to me, through my friend and the beautiful conversation we had about love and loss on my own heavy-hearted day.


Lagniappe? A little more? Posts you may have missed about love and loss:

Memories Matter – Victoria Ponders

Not Here…But Near – Victoria Ponders


Check out this link to learn more about my book, “Surviving Sue”.

Surviving Sue | Eckhartz Press



66 responses to “Love Abundant”

  1. Beautiful peace. Thanks for the reminder!! Thinking of you today💕💕

    Liked by 3 people

    1. You are so sweet. Thanks, LA! ❤️❤️❤️

      Liked by 2 people

  2. Oh this one tugs and hurts, Vicki. I’m sorry for your friend’s loss. I agree that these moments are an important reminder to never wait to check in with loved ones. 🙏💕

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Sending hugs, Ab! Thank you so much for all of your kindnesses. ❤️

      Liked by 2 people

  3.  Don’t question. Just do. So much wisdom here, Vicki.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Love and hugs, Joy! Thank you. 🥰🥰🥰

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Such a good reminder Victoria.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. 🥰❤️🥰 thank you, VJ!

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  5. I’m so sorry to hear about your friend’s loss. Thank you for the reminder to keep loved ones close and to take that time to reach out. It is easy to get distracted with the daily to-dos and put off what matters💕

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Isn’t that the truth? So easy to get distracted – just as you said. Sending hugs! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

  6. I Imagine almost all of us have failed to make that last contact, to say I love you one last time, to hear that voice, that laugh, and feel that touch and breath in that scent.

    Why? Being too busy? Perhaps. But I think more often it is our tendency to look away at unpleasantness, especially at mortality — our personal mortality and that of all others.

    We would do well always to part with the words “I love you.” You never know. We never know.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Love your wisdom about not shying away from “I love you” and your insight about what interferes with outreach. I hear you. Yes, yes. Our own fears. Perhaps about mortality or the complexity of unfinished, unresolved issues. Thank you, dear Dr. Stein. 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

  7. So important to take the time to reach out, what Stephen Covey includes in his all-important Quadrant II. There’s nothing more important than tending the ties that bind. Good reminder, Vicki.

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    1. Oh, Covey! Yes. Thank you, Jane. And “tending to ties that bind.” Beautiful! 🥰❤️🥰

      Liked by 1 person

  8. A good reminder. We can get so caught up in the immediate that we forget the long term.

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    1. Well said, Belinda — thank you for that. 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Goodness—this one hits home on so many levels. Yesterday I signed myself up for hospice. It’s a beautiful moment in the life of the soul, a blessed opportunity to review priorities, let go of guilt and regrets, and decide (yes, decide!!) whether it is a time of sadness or joy, light or dark. Those who have passed on already know the extent to which they are loved, whether they receive a final “I love you” call or not. Though we appear to be living in a separative world, we are, in fact all joined through the power of love. Nothing would make me happier than to ‘infect’ dear ones with hope, faith and inspiration, rather than doom and gloom. We may have missed the window of opportunity to make that final call, but in the end, the message is received. Communication happens through the heart, not words. Love thunders through the silence telepathically, whether here on this earth plane or on another. Truly, I am over the moon happy about finally getting a peek at what goes on behind that mysterious veil that separates our physical selves from the Truth of our “real” selves. What a wake-up call. What a gift to be to have time enough to decipher what is real—the personality self, or the soul? What a fabulous opportunity to decide what’s worth taking with us when we go, and what’s best left behind? These precious days are filled with joy. What could be better than that? Much love from my heart to yours. May light and laughter fill your days, in spite of all that appears wrong in the world. God bless!

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Dear Julia…”all joined through the power of love”. I am in awe of your strength and loving kindness toward me and so many others. My life has been enriched a million times over through knowing you, learning from you. You inspire me. Now and always. More than anything, my wish for you is peace – body, mind and soul. I can’t imagine what recent days have been like for you. I’m right here. Loving and admiring my Jules. 💔💕💔

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    2. With all good wishes, Julia.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thank you so much, Dr. Stein. I appreciate your kind thoughts and good wishes. ☺️

        Liked by 1 person

  10. Sorry for your friend’s loss. We must be on the same wavelength. I’ve joked with my wife that I’ve been calling my mom a lot lately because she’s getting older and I don’t want something to happen to her and for me to feel that I’ve missed a chance to talk to her. The calls can be challenging because her hearing is not the best but I’m always glad that I’ve called. Yes, take the time!

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Thank you for alllll of that, Brian. “Always glad you called.” We know your dear mom feels the same! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Oh wow, what a powerful reminder. “Don’t question. Just do.” Your reminder to reach out and tell the stories – so amazing, resonant and vital. Thank you, dear Vicki!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thanks for being a treasured friend who shows me how to do that, dear Wynne! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Very close to home, actually. I will always regret not reaching out to that friend who was battling cancer. But the “friend” was actually an ex, and we’d had a troubled falling-out. I even turned to my blogging friends (different platform) for advice on whether or not to reach out, and they mostly advised against it. I wish I had at least wished her well and tried to mend fences, because not long after, she passed away.

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    1. Oh my. I feel the heartache there, Mark. I think what you shared is the reminder to trust ourselves. Gather feedback – sure – but the heaviness lingers if we don’t follow our instincts. ❤️

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  13. Thanks for the always-timely reminder, Vicki. Like everyone else, there have been times where I’ve not reach out and later come to regret it. Don’t question. Just do. Lovely.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Xo, Erin! Thank you! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

  14. so very important to never forget this incredibly important action of connection

    Liked by 2 people

    1. That you for being one of my wonderful connections, Beth. xo! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

  15. The Power of Human Connection. Thank you for that reminder, Vicki.

    Liked by 1 person

  16. petespringerauthor Avatar
    petespringerauthor

    A good reason not to let arguments or harsh words fester because we never know when a family member or close friend may pass.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Absolutely – yes. I agree with you, Pete! ❤️

      Liked by 1 person

  17. Sending hugs to you today.
    And yes, thank you so much for the reminder. I am sorry for your friend’s loss.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you so much, Nancy. ❤️

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  18. What a lovely reminder of not just reaching out to family and friends, but to talk about those who are gone. I love that. But of course, I would, right? Telling stories about the ones who enriched our lives. Those stories continue to enrich our lives. 🌞

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    1. I’m with you, Dave. Leave room for the wonderful, the fantastic, the magic. Talk to those we’ve loved and lost. Keep ’em close! Thank you so much, my storyteller friend! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

  19. I re-read Kojouri’s statement 3 times. I going to carry that one with me, Vicki. It is such a calm and comforting message. I am so glad that despite all the sadness this week, that you helped a friend and felt and received such positive energy. 💕

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you so much, Melanie! I owe you a comment, my friend. I read part of your latest post yesterday but didn’t slow down to share my praise-filled thoughts with you. I promise to do that this weekend. I love that you love the Kojouri quote. It’s a keeper. Sending hugs! 🥰💕🥰

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  20. Oh my gosh, Vicki, please don’t think about my post, we are busy women, and you had some sad things happening this week. It’s ALL good. And the quote is beautiful. It just digs right in and provides such hope. I love it. Hugs right back. 🥰🤗

    Liked by 1 person

    1. All good! I loved seeing you pop up…makes me smile…Cleveland-style! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

  21. That’s such a great reminder Vicki. Often we get caught up in the busyness of our lives and don’t take the time to reach out to people.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Michelle! ❤️

      Liked by 1 person

  22. Such a good post and reminder. I went to the funeral of a dear friend. Her son did the eulogy – he spoke about his Mom calling the day BEFORE her accident. He was driving, too busy to answer, and assumed he would call back the next day. His words never left me, and your beautiful essay only supports the reminder. Thank you XOV

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    1. Oh my goodness. I can’t imagine how he got through that. So very relatable and heart breaking. Thanks for sharing, dear Vickie. Love and hugs to you. 💕

      Liked by 1 person

  23. Beautiful quote Vicki. Hope your heavy heart is lighter today and wishing healing for your dear friend. Slowing down to experience the moment is powerful and something we all gain a lot from. Thank you for sharing! 💕

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you for reading and for your friendship! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

  24. What a lovely reminder to reach out and connect. And how little time it takes really to show someone we’re thinking about them. After leaving this comment, I have 3 phone calls to make. Thanks, Vicki. ❤ ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Diana, for taking the time to share your lovely comment. Big hugs…xo! ❤️

      Liked by 1 person

        1. You, you, you, dear one! You’re giving me ALL the smiles this morning. If you were near, you’d be on the receiving end of a big ol hug. Hope you can feel the vibe I’m sending. Adore you! 🥰🥰🥰

          Liked by 1 person

          1. LOL. Sending you a virtual hug and sharing all those good vibes!

            Liked by 1 person

            1. xoxoxoxox! 💕💕💕

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  25. Thank you for sharing such a heartfelt and inspiring message!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You’re welcome! Thank you for reading! 😉

      Like

  26. there are no accidents, only love.. wonderful sharing of loss and love to your friend and your mom. Always someone to call to let them know our heart💗

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Yes, yes, yes! Thank you, dear one. 💗💕💗

      Liked by 1 person

  27. Yes! “Make Haste. Take Action.” Beautiful 💕

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Rachel! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

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