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First Thanksgiving Without Him

Autumn’s table set with one less placemat this year, dad loved pumpkin pie.. sweet slices of reminisce satisfies our grateful grief Susan Ashley October 23, 2021

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Ray Zottola

Date: 1/11/2023 7:29:00 AM

This poem says so much with so very few words. Love it!

Susan Ashley
Date: 1/13/2023 8:11:00 AM

Dear Ray, it's wonderful to see you! Thank you for your inspiring comments. I'm so glad to know my poem touched your heart. Both your gracious visit and precious thoughts are appreciated, my friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Michael Tor

Date: 9/7/2022 2:40:00 AM

The feelings and thoughts you feel for your father Susan live on in your heart. You clearly express this in this heartfelt and emotional Poetry. I am so sorry for your loss. I lost my father Rene in 2021 last September the 16th it will be coming up soon. I know there is a heaven and there will be another reunion someday Susan with the ones we love. Your dad will be waiting for you someday with open arms. So glad you shared this intimate Poem about your father with us. God bless you.

Susan Ashley
Date: 9/7/2022 7:17:00 AM

Dear Michael, it seems we both share a deep sadness with the loss of our dads. You lost your father Rene on September 16, 2021, and I lost my father Albert on June 10, 2021. Thank you for your compassionate response to my poem, the beauty of your empathy touches me deeply. Please accept my condolences for the loss of your precious dad as well. Indeed, like you, I believe we both will experience a glorious reunion with our loved ones someday. Your wonderful presence here is truly appreciated, my friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Timothy Ray

Date: 4/18/2022 3:45:00 PM

Susan, i know this and your brevity speaks volumes...i can hear your heart in this one....well done Susan my father died on Thanksgiving Day....

Susan Ashley
Date: 4/20/2022 7:15:00 AM

Dear Timothy, please accept my condolences for the loss of your father, it saddens me to know just how intimately acquainted you are with the mournful emotions of this poem. Thank you for sharing your precious thoughts with me, the beauty of your empathy shines upon the page and onto my heart. Warmest wishes, my friend.. ~Susan

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 1/8/2022 10:58:00 AM

I can totally relate Susan. I lost my son that same month which is why I never read this. I couldn’t read poetry for some time. I am so sorry for your loss. I am sure your father is still watching over you. A beautiful touching tanka my friend. New year blessings xxoo

Susan Ashley
Date: 1/9/2022 11:49:00 AM

Oh, my dear friend, indeed, I can't imagine how heavy and broken your loving heart must be. I understand why your couldn't read poetry for a while. As my father watches over me I know that your beloved husband and son watch over you, Connie, your devoted and doting guardian angels. I'm so please you were touched by this poem as I am deeply moved by your heartfelt comments. Thank you, my sweet friend, I so appreciate your warm presence. Warmest wishes and hugs xoxox.. ~Susan

Valsa George

Date: 12/21/2021 8:43:00 PM

So sad that one person so close to heart is missing this time. Festive occasions bring deeper memory of them ! From Heaven he must be enjoying the pumpkin pie you thoughtfully make for him. In the sweet slice of reminiscence, I can hear your silent sobs, Susan !

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/23/2021 9:45:00 AM

Indeed, dear Valsa, your beautiful comments ring true with compassion, wisdom and hope. That you share in these emotions with me reveals the beauty of your empathy for which I am truly grateful. Thank you, my friend. Warmest wishes for a happy Holiday season.. ~Susan

Robert Lindley

Date: 11/29/2021 8:20:00 PM

I am so sorry my dear friend. To find that you have lost your dear and beloved father. Your poetry shows the pain , the sorrows of loss and the ever present joy of life and time together we must remember when we lose those we so dearly love. A fav and another true gem too. God bless.

Susan Ashley
Date: 12/1/2021 10:21:00 AM

My dear friend, indeed, my beloved father past away, peacefully at home surrounded by his family, on June 10, 2021. I miss him terribly, but thankfully I dream of him often. My dreams of him bring me comfort as they are always wonderful. Your beautiful words fill me with appreciation for your friendship. Thank you, Robert, for sharing in the emotions of this poem with me and for the honor of your fav. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Jan Allison

Date: 11/18/2021 3:54:00 PM

such a touching piece Susan, its a very difficult time for many when there are empty spaces at the table, hugs Jan xx

Susan Ashley
Date: 11/21/2021 1:21:00 PM

Thank you, Jan, for sharing in the emotions of this very special poem with me. I am gladdened by your presence here. It's so wonderful to see you back and know that you are feeling better. Your precious thoughts are appreciated. Warmest wishes and hugs.. ~Susan

Malabika Ray Choudhury

Date: 11/16/2021 6:10:00 PM

So sorry to know your loss, Dearest Susan. This poem carries perfect sentiment of a first Thanksgiving without him. Sending my condolences to your family - although our dearest ones never leave us. Love and hugs ~ Mala

Susan Ashley
Date: 11/21/2021 1:16:00 PM

Dearest Mala, my apologies to you for my delayed response to your beautiful and heartfelt words. I am grateful for the comfort your presence and friendship brings. Thank you for sharing your precious thoughts with me, your heart is radiant, my sweet friend. Warmest wishes, love and hugs.. ~Susan

Jack Horne

Date: 11/14/2021 6:46:00 AM

heartfelt sadness here, my friend, but utterly beautiful

Susan Ashley
Date: 11/21/2021 1:11:00 PM

Ah, my dear friend, Jack, I am heartened by your wonderful presence and the warm glow of your words. Thank you for sharing in the emotions of this special poem with me and for shining the beauty of your empathy upon my poem and my heart. I am filled with gratitude for your friendship. Warmest wishes and happy Thanksgiving to you.. ~Susan

Charles Messina

Date: 11/11/2021 2:28:00 PM

Susan I am SO very sorry to hear of the loss of your father. Your poem captures the love and affection you had with him. Sending love, prayers, and condolences to all. I am sure he is looking down smiling. Warmest wishes my dear friend. ~Charlie

Susan Ashley
Date: 11/21/2021 1:06:00 PM

My dear Charlie, your golden presence lights up my page and my heart. Thank you for your rich and beautiful response to my poem. I find comfort in your encouraging and heartfelt words. Yes, I'm sure he's smiling, my dad was always smiling, his heart full of light, love and happiness. So good to see you, Charlie, my apologies for the delayed response to your moving words, I am filled with gratitude. Warmest wishes, my sweet friend, and happy Thanksgiving.. ~Susan

Anitha Jayasankar

Date: 11/11/2021 2:51:00 AM

What a sad yet beautiful write in just few lines dear Susan...I can feel how much you miss your dad, from your replies to the comments below...Loved one keep guiding us, and never really leave, I believe so. They keep on guiding us from ABOVE. Am sorry I was not in Soup for some days ...and hence the delay in reading your beautiful inspiring poems my sweet friend...Hugs...~ Ani

Susan Ashley
Date: 11/21/2021 1:02:00 PM

My dear Ani, my sincere apologies to you for my delayed response to your rich and heartfelt comments. The beauty of your wisdom, comfort and empathy shines in the warm glow of your words. You are a treasure, my sweet friend. Warmest wishes, love and hugs.. ~Susan

Jennifer Proxenos

Date: 11/8/2021 2:21:00 AM

Oh my dearest poetry sis, You have lost your Dad, I see you are terribly sad. He knows what you did for him and how you tried, and the many hours spent as you cried, but you have a constant angel that guards you, and you know he will always be there, As he knows you will always remember and care. All my love and many hugs, and my most heart felt condolences. Jennifer.

Susan Ashley
Date: 11/8/2021 6:18:00 PM

My dearest poetry sis, indeed, my beloved father past away, peacefully at home surrounded by his family, on June 10, 2021. I miss him terribly and dream of him often, which brings me comfort for the dreams are always wonderful and I feel his presence with me always, yes, I believe "a constant angel who guards me".. Your beautiful words fill me with gratitude for your friendship and sistership. Thank you for sharing in these emotions with me, Jennifer. Your love, hugs and heart felt condolences are cherished. Warmest wishes, love and hugs sent to you too, my sweet friend.. ~Susan

Beryl Edmonds

Date: 11/7/2021 7:13:00 PM

Although your hearts are grieving, this is a beautiful tribute to your dad for Thanksgiving. Blessings dear friend… Belle

Susan Ashley
Date: 11/7/2021 7:19:00 PM

Dear Belle, your uplifting comments are gratefully received. Your heart shines with the beauty of your empathy. Thank you for sharing in the emotions of this poem with me. We are grieving but we are so appreciative for the memories we share. Warmest wishes, my sweet friend.. ~Susan

Unseeking Seeker

Date: 10/30/2021 11:29:00 PM

May the heart’s vacuum be suffused by dad’s loving presence vibrational ~ one of the best Tanka seen

Susan Ashley
Date: 11/1/2021 6:50:00 PM

Oh, I cherish this comment so beautifully and prayerfully expressed as only you can do, my friend. Thank you for your kindness, Seeker. I am both honored and humbled by your lovely soulful heart and generous assessment of my Tanka.. I'm not sure if it's one of the best, but I am filled with gratitude that you think so, dear poet. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 10/28/2021 2:03:00 PM

wow, this is AMAZING. Best tanka ever. I hope to see it on the winners' list.

Susan Ashley
Date: 11/1/2021 6:45:00 PM

You surely know how to be an uplifting presence, my friend. Thank you, Andrea, for your kindness and encouragement. YOU are truly appreciated.

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 11/1/2021 12:31:00 PM

well, maybe in OTHER categories there could be better ones but even then, it would be outstanding, and in this particular contest, it still stands out!!

Susan Ashley
Date: 10/30/2021 9:21:00 AM

Dear Andrea, I am humbled and honored by your very generous comments. I am thrilled by your response to my poem, but I respectfully disagree, there are many exceptional and exquisite tanka poems that are far superior, in my humble opinion. Still, your comments fill with me elation. Warmest wishes, dear poetess.. ~Susan

Gershon Wolf

Date: 10/26/2021 6:00:00 PM

May you know no more subtractions in life, Susan. Only additions. Here's to wonderful memories, Gershon

Susan Ashley
Date: 10/29/2021 5:26:00 PM

Oh, Gershon, the beauty of your empathy gives me comfort and hope. Your precious thoughts are so beautifully expressed and move me deeply. I share in your toast to wonderful memories, and I raise a glass to salute your tender heart and your cherished friendship. Thank you, my friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

John Watt

Date: 10/26/2021 2:36:00 PM

"Sweet slices of reminisce satisfies our grateful grief"... how often the holidays present us with a slice of bittersweet pie. Those we have loved may not be present in body but are definitely with us in spirit and memory. Dear poetry sis, your tanka goes deep in five mere lines, for you are such a marvelous poetess of emotional profundity and linguistic agility. Your sadness is shared, for I miss my wonderful parents each time we celebrate holidays, but am grateful for loved ones still here. Thank you for sharing this gem with us, dear friend!

Susan Ashley
Date: 10/29/2021 5:19:00 PM

Oh, my dearest poetry brother, the magic of your insight, the depth and breadth of your emotional intelligence, the beauty of your sensitive responsive spirit leaves me breathless and so very appreciative to call you friend. Thank you for sharing in the emotions of loss with me. As difficult as it was when we lost our mom 18 years, we still had our dad, we still had one half of our family's centerpiece. We cherished him and his presence comforted us through the years without our mom. This Thanksgiving, I join with you in missing both our wonderful parents as we celebrate, but also, I join with you in gratitude for loved ones still here. Your exquisite thoughts resonate beautifully within my soul, John, thank you. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Laura Leiser

Date: 10/26/2021 11:21:00 AM

This lovely verse is so touching, Susan! I’m so sorry for your loss, too. I lost my dad a few years ago, and he relished family gatherings, as well. I’m sure your dad will be there in spirit with you this Thanksgiving. :)

Susan Ashley
Date: 10/29/2021 5:01:00 PM

Dear Laura, thank you for your heartwarming condolences. I know you share the same loss, I remember learning of your dad's passing when I read your exquisite poem "Gone", which I just reread and was deeply moved more than ever. Indeed, our dad's will definitely be with us in spirit on Thanksgiving Day, just as they are with us every day.. Your precious thoughts are treasured, my friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Bj Legros Kelley

Date: 10/26/2021 2:48:00 AM

My prayers are with you tonight dear Susan. I am so sorry for your deep loss.

Susan Ashley
Date: 10/26/2021 8:43:00 AM

Dear BJ, the beauty of your empathy is truly cherished. Thank you for sharing in the emotions of this poem with me and for sharing your compassionate thoughts. Your lovely hearts shines, my sweet friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Eve Roper

Date: 10/25/2021 8:26:00 PM

Great Tanka, Susan. It is hard to spend the holidays with those that were there at one time. Hugs Eve

Susan Ashley
Date: 10/26/2021 11:56:00 AM

Yes we do, Eve, always and forever we cherish them..

Eve Roper
Date: 10/26/2021 10:15:00 AM

:'( We love them with all our hearts

Susan Ashley
Date: 10/26/2021 8:50:00 AM

Dear Eve, your compassionate heart shines upon this page. Thank you for sharing in these emotions with me. Holidays are a time when the loss of loved ones is especially felt. I know you know this feeling too, my friend, and thankfully, we find comfort in remembering lost loved ones with family. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Michelle Faulkner

Date: 10/25/2021 4:06:00 PM

It won't be the same but perhaps his memory will help fill the empty place, also so poignant about 'grateful grief' -

Susan Ashley
Date: 10/26/2021 8:40:00 AM

Dear Michelle, our smiles and tears in remembrance will help fill the empty space and bring us comfort. My dad relished the tradition of Thanksgiving.. and all family gatherings. Your compassionate comments are treasured, my wonderful friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Judy Ball

Date: 10/25/2021 11:14:00 AM

It's so hard to lose someone. Especially a much loved parent. My heartfelt best wishes to you my friend. God Bless, JB

Susan Ashley
Date: 10/26/2021 8:22:00 AM

Dear Judy, indeed it is.. thank you for sharing in the emotions of this poem with me. Your compassionate comments are truly appreciated. Warmest wishes to you, my dear friend.. ~Susan

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 10/25/2021 8:07:00 AM

Ours will be without mom. I pray my dad can endure through the holidays and then the anniversary on Jan 9th. I weep with you.

Susan Ashley
Date: 10/26/2021 8:19:00 AM

Dear Kim, I pray with you for your dad to endure and we weep together for our loss.. There is comfort in the mingle of tears. Thank you, my friend, for your inspiring visit and soulful comments. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Tom Cunningham

Date: 10/24/2021 12:09:00 PM

You always miss loved ones at holiday time Susan especially the first one after they've passed. You never forget them and you reflect on the happy memories that you made with them over the years. Hope you're keeping well. Tom

Susan Ashley
Date: 10/26/2021 8:09:00 AM

Indeed, Tom, that is true. Though it is bittersweet, there is a warm comfort gained from sharing memories of departed loved ones at holiday gatherings. The mix of smiles and tears keep us close in remembrance. Thank you for your wonderful and thoughtful words, my friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Heidi Sands

Date: 10/24/2021 7:17:00 AM

I can feel this one. Well written Susan. Blessings to you :)

Susan Ashley
Date: 10/26/2021 7:32:00 AM

Dear Heidi, thank you for sharing in the feelings of this poem with me. Your compassionate heart shines, thank you, my friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan