Penelope J. Roffmann

A Poem for Penelope

A year has gone
and still your voice
is present in the dawn
and in the garden
still exist your footprint
near the lamn.

Moments we shared
are nesting around
still lasting in my mind
the magic mirror
of your soul
never will be blind.

I told the storks
that you are gone
still beeing close to me -
Will we ever meet again?
I’ll go and ask the sea

Penelope was an adventurer in life
She was wholly in touch with Nature
The natural world was the Art she appreciated
From feeding the two raccoons she named Fred and Not Fred in the back yard of Goethe
To getting excited with seeing the nesting storks in Linkinheim
I remember her biggest smiles blooming in the humane zoos
A happy animal, creature of the wold, made for a happy Penelope
If the natural world was the art she thrived upon
Crafting her words was the Art she made
The way she used her language was what drew me to her
And her to me with my "gratuitous acts of love"
I rue the fates, and myself, that caused her to withhold her words from me
And I rue the fates that took her from this world
Penelope, you were one very special woman
May your soul roam free

I am very glad you were able to find happiness
I saw you labile much too often
The word labile I learned from you
as I did so many other things
My heart weeps

I want the friends and family of Penelope to know I think of her often. She’ll always have a place in my heart that I cherish when ever I need her love and guidance.

Penelope gave me permission to live, love and have adventure again. That is what she would council me if she were here today; I have struggled but finally made into the light from the darkness. Never thinking I could be whole again but here I am; positive perspective on life and a new love.

I still can shed a tear when thinking of her but no longer in anger, guilt or fear, only for the love, adventure and the time we lost.

Thank you panzee…blessed are those she touched even in passing.

A soul mate has gone,
my thoughts are at the bench below the oak tree and at Otegon coast

A poem for Penelope

Sunset of our days
not back to the dust
back to the water
the very beginning
twilight zone
I am listening
to your voice

Words of Penelope to share:

Blue
first sight
hypnotic and intense
taking my breath away
eyes

I may be crazy but I am not stupid. Or is it the other way around?

I am thinking now that all is well. I was thinking then that...I was not thinking. It is that I did not think.

The universe intervened on my behalf. I got so lost that I never found the meeting place

I have that freedom which comes from having nothing left to lose

You are my anchor; I am your albatrosse

When spring comes and I send up shoots, I will bloom wherever I find I am planted. I don't know what plant I will be. I do know that I will devote myself to being the best of whatever I turn out to be.

Penelope my love I miss you so...
Are you still watching over me or are the angels keeping you busy...
I need your councel again to help me get through these impossible times...
I've heard time heals all wounds but for me time has stopped...
I still reach for you in the night and cry out your name...
Please help me if you can my love...
My Penelope...

Every now and then, a force of nature, sometimes technically referred to as a human being, steps into the frame of everyday life. This happened to me. Penelope J. Roffmann was different, to say the least. She was one of a kind, and very capable of changing a persons life with as little, yet as much, as the sound of her rosy chuckle. A favorite thing about Penelope of mine, was the way, the ability of hers, to articulate the feelings, the energy, the raw power and beauty of humanity, no matter if its the horrors one must face, or the opportunities of happiness. I say opportunity, because to people like Penelope, every smile, every joke, every tear, every chance to do anything whether it be a dream or a nightmare, or even another chance to gaze into this hate filled world around us, and still see a glimpse of blue skies, which we still and always will have, was an opportunity. Life through Penelope's eyes, no man, women, angel, or being can explain, for life was more beautiful than a fresh, blooming flower, more grateful than a newborns eyes, more graceful than a peacocks feathers, and more fragile than the finest Egyptian silk. It is hard to describe Penelope's life, what she meant to the world, what she meant to us, in only mere words, for to any stranger, they are just mere words..... However, to us, the friends, the people that got the opportunity, the honor, to witness the sparkle in Penelope J. Roffmann's eyes when she laughed, those of us who got the honor of seeing this body full of joy, which was Penelope Roffmann, during the last months or her time here on earth.....We remember her not as words, not as mere memories, but as a shining example of a true angle, as an example of something everyone, and everything, should dream of being. I love you, Penelope. I miss you, and forever will.
Good bye.

To Penelope's family and friends,

I look out my onto our deck and I see the results of her efforts to make our lives more beautiful and bring nature to our door. The flowers in full bloom, the birds at the feeders and the occasional hummingbird hovering over the beauty she created. She loved nature and every thing in it. Penelope loved these things deeply and I was fortunate enough for her to find me to share in this love.

I've been told by her closest friends that these last few months we were together were the happiest she had in a very long time. We were looking at the future as if it had infinite possibilities for life, laughter and love. Our last few hours with each other were mix of joy and conflict. We had stopped briefly and Penelope being herself asked me to stop for turtles or possums with young in the road to save them from oncoming traffic. I refused, stating it's much to dangerous...ironically it made no difference in the end.
Within the hour I lost my love in an instant.
Now all I have are the memories of an incredible women who gave so much to others and me yet expected nothing in return.
She taught me so much about myself, my family, relationships and making the most of one's life.
When we recall how Penelope influenced our lives remember how she lived hers not how it ended. To know her was a blessing and I'll try to live the life she wanted for us.

Penelope...thank you for our time together. I'll love and miss you forever.

LB

Penelope will be sorely missed by her adopted family. We didn't get to know her as long as we'd have liked, but we'll treasure the memories we have. Our dinner parties will never be the same, nor our arts and crafts get-togethers. This past weekend at the lake was bittersweet because she was supposed to have been there. We toasted her memory during a spectacular Ozarks sunset, told Penelope stories and laughed until we cried.
The biggest gift Penelope gave us was seeing our family through her eyes. She saw the love we have for each other and made herself a part of it. That helped us to better appreciate what we sometimes take for granted.
So here's to you, sister of our hearts, collector of books and buttons, the generous soul who made us complete.
We miss you, but it helps to think of how happy you were the last months of your life. Especially the love and security you felt and the amazing plans you had for the future.
Much love,
Colleen, Mom Brady & Family

Andy, I'm very sorry to hear of your loss. I spent some time with your mother a few years ago and we discussed our love of dogs. Shortly thereafter, I received a book on dogs in the mail from your mother. It was her thoughtfulness that I will remember. Please accept my sympathy.

Andy,

I was sorry to read about the passing of your mother in today's newspaper. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.

Sincerely,

Jodie (Priess) Sanders

"Penelope was an animal lover and kind soul. " Kirsten Austin-Bolten

Penelope was excited about becoming a hospice volunteer, had completed the initial training and was enthusiastic about beginning her journey as a volunteer with Pathways Community Hospice. She shared that companioning individuals at end of life was something she was passionate about and a lifelong calling. She was also exploring pet therapy as it complimented her love of animals. She fearlessly followed her heart with the energy and excitement of a child, yet with the wisdom of someone who had "been there" and had lived a full, rich life. She touched my life from the moment we met, and I will miss her.

Penelope was a talented mental health clinician and valued coworker. She will definitely be missed