Prague Castle, 2010
by cheri block
Much has been written throughout the ages about stars.
Stars figure prominently in art, music, sculpture, and oratory.
Their appeal is their mystery.
Mauna Kea, 2013
And yet, astronomers high atop Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaii have demystified much about stars. We know they are intense balls of energy that explode with light and heat. We know they have gravitational pull. We know that they die, eventually, but we here on Earth continue to view their light long after they are gone.
Joan Block, 2014
All of these thoughts apply to Queen Joan, who for many of us, was the brightest star in the room even as her light in this world began to dim. For those of us who studied the Constellation that was Joan, we sensed an other-worldliness about her.
Where did she come from? How was she able to twinkle when so much had been taken?
This song, Yesh Kochavim ( Kocha is star in Hebrew, vim makes it plural) is an earthly composer’s attempt to capture the light of a lost life. First, listen to the Hebrew and then listen to the English.
If one of your family’s stars has left your orbit, you will be comforted.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQQ18AlMnNk
Lovely post Cheri.
Thank you, Aunt Kayti.
What a tender tribute, and a beautiful song. The photo shimmers — she must have been quite a light during her life. Clearly, you were blessed to have her. Thanks for sharing the post: the photo and the song.
I am glad you liked the song. I had never thought about the light of a dead star still shining on me each night. I found that metaphor perfect for remembering special people. Thank you for reading and listening.
This is such a touching post. Joanie was/is a star. I love the song.
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Hello my sweet Jennifer. I love the song too and look forward to hearing Mike sing it during the service. Thanks for your comment!
Thank you for shining some of your mother’s light in my direction and for touching such chords of grief and comfort.
We both see those stars, don’t we?
I love the photo of your mom.
She looks radiant.
Radiant is the precise word to describe how she looks in that picture. Thank you for your kindness to me.
We know that they die, eventually, but we here on Earth continue to view their light long after they are gone.
Hear, hear.
I am so pleased that you used “Hear Hear” correctly. I embarrassed myself mightily about six years ago when I was a regular on the Hannibal blog, a blog written by Andreas Kluth of the Economist Magazine. There were British people (like my friend Richard, below) who read my famous gaffe.
I said, “Here, Here!” as if calling my dang dog.
What a beautiful star she is, you are blessed to have had her for a mother.
Thank you, Brighid. I am lucky; you are correct. I wonder how much luck is in all of this…