My mother’s funeral was today. A very worthy ceremony with beautiful music, a commendable mastering of the ceremonies by the priest and warm people attending. I trust my mother valued the farewell.
Thank you to all those who attended. My you find inspiration in the interactions with Turid to inspire others you meet in your lives.
I held a slightly ammended Norwegian version of my previous blog post as a speech.
A chapter is closed. Another commence. I will carry a torch. May kindness and enlightenment ensue.
For the record; Here is what I said:
Mamma,
Du er vakker.
Du har inspirert min nysgjerrighet, min kunnskapstørst, min søken etter sannhet, mitt liv. Og veien til kunnskap og sannhet er like vakker som deg.
Du har inspirert så mange – til å lære og til å finne egne svar. Ditt engasjement og inspirasjon har gitt ringvirkninger langt ut over det vi kan se – du har berørt utrolig mange mennesker i dine 71 år.
Kunnskapen du har levert som lærer har gitt mange barn et solid fundament i livet. Men den nysgjerrigheten du har vekket har vært uvurderlig.
Husker du den gangen da jeg var 8 år? Du pekte opp på nattehimmelen og sa “Se Geir, der er Orions belte”. Det øyeblikket ga mitt liv en helt ny mening. Det er et av vendepunktene livet – et jeg vil vil være evig takknemlig for.
Jeg tar med meg minnene, inspirasjonen, engasjementet, varmen og gleden. Eventyrene, latteren, utfordringene, livet.
Jeg er takknemlig for de siste 5 årene vi bodde sammen. Jeg er glad nå for at du døde hjemme og i mine armer. Det var i det minste raskt, og du døde ikke alene. Det var det mest intense øyeblikket i mitt liv. Jeg tenkte ikke et øyeblikk at du skulle dø, selv når du tok dine siste åndedrag. Ditt lys kunne bare ikke slukne, skulle ikke slukne. Du er mamma, du kan ikke dø. Bare senere forstod jeg at du forlot kroppen mens jeg holdt den.
Men ditt lys vil aldri slukne.
Det er et tomrom nå. Jeg har ingen ord for det jeg føler. Jeg savner deg mer enn jeg hadde forestilt at jeg kunne.
Jeg lover å fylle tomrommet med positiv energi – jeg lover å inspirere andre til å lære, til nysgjerrighet og til å finne sine egne veier og svar i livet. Jeg lover å bringe ditt lys videre.
Turid Isene… Mamma… Jeg elsker deg. Utrolig høyt.
Du vil fortsatt være en inspirasjon. Du er vakker.
Geir Isene - uncut 
That torch you will carry from now on is enlightened by the values your mother passed to you during her life, Geir: education, respect, common sense. She “digged” those values in your personality, step by step: during your childhood, teenage, even during your mature life. All those values will always prevail. It is the gift your mother gave it to you. Forever.
I was deeply touched and honoured to read and write on this blog post. For me, it was a huge lesson of humanity.
Dragos
Geir, it was a beautiful ceremony with two very touching speeches. You and your family did really well.
Big hug from bren
Dear Geir,
I did not see your post yesterday.
And today you had a funeral….
I am so, so sorry for your loss.
You have such warm memories
A wonderful legacy
lives on through you
A most honourable man.
Her light will shine – always.
I lit a candle for you in my window tonight
at the most southern tip of Africa.
May Kindness and Joy be your life long companions
to fill the void left by your Mamma.
And may you count your blessings
for having known her all your life.
I lost my Mamma when I was 15
I cry with you – she was also my lighthouse.
I so duplicate what you meant ….
Her light will shine – always.
this comes with big cyber hugs. 🙂
I feel the same as Dragos, deeply touched and honored to have shared this experience.
Your wonderful mother and you have created many positive ripples that I see expanding into waves. Because that’s your intention.
I join the others with big hugs from me too, for the whole family. 🙂
En vakker og inspirerende hyllest. Din Acorn har ikke falt langt fra din mors eik. Hvis jeg var Turid, ville jeg bli smiler til deg akkurat nå.
Nå føler jeg at jeg kjenner henne litt fordi jeg vet ditt hjerte av nysgjerrighet og anstendighet, og jeg er beæret av det. Jeg vil også prøve å være tro mot ditt ord og bære fakkelen med deg bror.
Chris, could we get a translation?
A beautiful and inspiring tribute. Your acorn has not fallen far from your mother’s oak. If I were Turid, I would be smiling at you right now.
Now I feel that I know her a little because I know your heart of curiosity and decency and I am honored by that. I will also try to be true to your word and carry the torch with you brother.
Ah, lovely. I am further inspired to contribute to the ripples. Count me in with you guys. 🙂
Count me in too,Chris. You have said it very well.
I too lit a candle, one for your mother, you and one for your family. Her light and yours will continue to shine. Blessings. Thank you for being. ((Hugs))
Love to you and your family. Thank you for this inspirational posting.
Dear Geir,
May your torch shine brightly and loving kindness be your beacon in the world. I wish you and yours all the best now and in the futures to come.
She was a great person by the way she touch your soul, I wish her a good new beginning!