Velma Rose Boyer

Velma Rose Boyer was born July 10th, 1925 in St. Louis, Missouri, and passed away here on July 23, 2024. A year shy of 100. What an extraordinary life she had, as really every life is. She is survived by her son Daniel, and had two other sons she loved -- Lee & Gary; and several wonderful younger friends who were exceptional caretakers & friends to her (more like daughters) for years.

The word 'obituary' I think is living on borrowed time. For so many in this world believe -- one's so called death is really the beginning of a much greater life. And life I feel is too sacred to ever end. The great 13th century mystical poet Rumi says, at the beginning of a longer poem these famous lines:

I died as a mineral and became a plant.

I died as a plant and knew what it was

to have fins and wings and hoofs.

With our souls evolving back to being

the very womb of Existence,

I became a beautiful woman, I became

a beautiful man,

what should we ever fear my darlings

for when were we ever less by dying!

-- Rumi

Then too, some beautiful verse by the 16th century great poet, Saint John of the Cross. His wonderful tender words are:

You let my sufferings cease, for there was

no one who could cure them.

Now let my eyes behold your face, dear God,

for you are our truest love.

My spirit's body is rising near -- this earth a

bow that shot me.

Now lift me into your arms like something precious that you dropped.

-- St. John of the Cross

And dear mom, knew these lines of verse as they are from books I was involved with, as a writer with Penguin Random House. Daniel Ladinsky here, cowboying up the best I can, with dear old mom -- the grand wild angel she was --- now spreading her wings, and gold dust, somewhere else.