STARDUST

In January 2022, Em’s mom, Rose Louise died. After nearly 100 wonderful years, she decided to make a final bow, take a step back and allow the velvet curtain to drop. No doubt, she’s tap dancing through the streets of Heaven, into the Forever. At least, that’s the image we’ve decided to embrace when reflecting on her passing.

She lived a full and joyful life here on earth and certainly gave it her all. She loved like there was no tomorrow and did everything possible to leave things better than before. She left a legacy of kindness and compassion for all who came within her sphere of influence. Her “Rose-colored world” full of positivity became her trademark. She is sorely missed by many as kind words still trickle in to remind us how wide her reach extended. She outlived most of her friends and peers, so we imagine that her waning days were a bit lonely. Perhaps she just decided that the only way to restore and enjoy community was to join them in Heaven.

We are reminded of Joni Mitchell’s famous lyric—We are stardust, we are golden and we’ve got to get ourselves back to the garden. No doubt Rose Louise is somewhere in an exquisite garden. Perhaps we can see where she is by looking up to the stars—another endless garden of sorts. She was magical while here, so we have little doubt that her charm and charisma continue in the Forever.

Rosie, as she was often called, was never one to let the dust settle. Ever-the-entertainer, we imagine Rose/Mom graciously accepting the call for an encore. Our guess is that she’s already at the center of her heavenly community, laughing, talking and hugging lifelong friends, and of course making some new ones as well.

Although the world stage has lost a bright star, that Stardust is still swirling somewhere. Quite possibly, we’ll see Rose/Mom in the night sky—a dazzling comet or a shooting star arcing across an indigo night.

Godspeed Mom!

Music (Rose’s Song)

Lyrics

There is a path we take, trying to find our way
There is a life that we make step by step, day by day
Taking us to where forever waits
Where it feels so much like home

There is a bridge we must cross, without waver or pause
Spanning a river below, where each and every day flows
Taking them to where forever waits
Where they gently come to rest

From all the tears and solemn goodbyes
Spirits soar up, to unimagined heights
Floating above, floating on love
Bittersweet leaving and arriving
Floating above, floating on love
No more waiting to find forever
Forever

There is a hope we hold, somewhere we never grow old
There is a dream that we share, surely someday we’ll gather there
In that special place where forever waits
When we all will be at home

In the end we’ll all be home
At long last, our journey done
Home

Credits

From album – Hold to the Heart
Track released – April 3, 2022
Cheryl Martlage – Lyrics, Vocals and Production
Emerson Martlage – Music, Guitar, Vocals and Production
Inspiration – Mom/Rose/Rosie/Friend to All—Rose Louise

Other Related Stories and Music

We also wrote the following stories and songs over the years as the life of Rose and Harry continued to unfold before us. Please feel free to explore if you’re so inclined: “Lucky Day,” “Yesterday Me,”  ”Letting Go,” Rocking Chair,”  “Lover’s Leap,” “99 Years” and “Lessons for Life.”