Prayers from me, as well. I am kicking myself for not getting to know her. I always was fascinated by her "cool cucumber" demeanor, her fierceness, her wit...yet I was too scared by her Valkyrie-ness...
Bring us, O Lord God, at our last awakening into the house and gate of heaven, to enter into that gate and dwell in that house, where there shall be no darkness nor dazzling, but one equal light; no noise nor silence, but one equal music; no fears nor hopes, but one equal possession; no ends nor beginnings, but one equal eternity: in the habitations of thy majesty and glory, world without end.
Just back again from seeing her. She is skipping breaths every once in while, breathing very slowly. I printed the last few pages of this thread and the prayer thread for the sake of anyone in family or church-for their comfort, or to read aloud to her, or for use in memorial. I also sang several hymns for her as we'd discussed a year or two ago.
The kitties are on duty. The tortoiseshell (Beatrice) was curled up to her when I was there.
No heroine or anything else, just one of the Shipmates who love Ross. maybe you-all can tell us all more about your interactions with her, what has been so memorable? I'll never forget her for basically holding my hand and listening for hours when our first church fell apart.
I think my main interraction with her was whe we were watching the Munx - that slightly oded pair of the Monks of Adoration - Ross sent me a set of screen-grabs of them over one Easter. I've never spent much time posting here (or the old boards), but read them every evening.
I think that I will remember Ross as cultured, good at scathing replies, a fellow lover of "smells and bells" and although I wasn't around for most of the last decade, as someone who fought cancer until the end.
Rossweisse's name caught my attention many years ago. I'm a huge fan of Wagner's "Ring of the Nibelungen" and was delighted that she was not only a fan, but an opera singer. I shared with her my experience when I went to "The Ring" in San Francisco two years ago, and I believe she was the first person to tell me that Chicago would be doing it in April 2020. We'd even talked about meeting there. I did get tickets -- and, of course, it was cancelled. I cannot hear "The Ride of the Valkyries" without picturing her in the cast.
She's always been such a gracious person. As her body has worn down, she has usually been the first person to post prayers and kind thoughts for others, most of whom were in better shape that she was. She was adamant about her politics, and determined that she would live to hear that Joe Biden would be announced as the winner of the Election. It took a while, but she made it.
I never had the joy of meeting her in this life, but her illness and coming death are upsetting me more than those of many people I consider real-life friends. The Ship will be smaller without her.
Gute Wünsche (good wishes), Rossweisse, as you ride on.
I had a call from the cancer patients' peer mentor coordinator this afternoon with a difficult request for help. My first thought was, "How would Rossweisse respond to this?" As I've said before here, she is inspirational and a strong role model. She still shares her strength, whether she knows it or not, and I love her for it.
This is teaching me to get to know people before they leave this world. Lamb Chopped, take care of your own fine self, as well. Thank you for keeping us updated. Sending love to Rossweisse, her cats, L.C., and everyone on The Ship who is still wrestling and fighting this fucked-up evil known as cancer.
I met Rossweisse under her real name on the opera-l listserv, and it was always a pleasure to read her writing, whether in reviews or anecdotes. I was also a professional opera chorister, but not at her level. I so envied the repertoire she got to do with Chicago Lyric Opera. (My nom du internet back then was Doberwoman.)
My memory of Ross is how she generously shared advice and support when I was hit by the C-bomb. I came through and am in remission. But I have not forgotten how her wise words helped me to deal with it.
I pray for a peaceful passing for her. I hold her in the Living Loving Light.
Her courage in the face of all she has gone through has been an inspiration for me. And when I really needed an example of faithful prayerfulness she was that too. Safe Home Ross.
I've always admired (and sometimes been a bit scared by) Ross's clarity of thought and expression; also her robustness, feistiness and honesty. She said she didn't want to be remembered for her experiences with cancer, but one of the things I admire her for is the way she punctuated posts about difficult stuff with comments like, "It's all very tedious," "I need a different hobby" and "I refuse to worry about it right now. I'm busy."
I love the way that she didn't suffer fools gladly but she also expressed her love and appreciation for all of us here. I know that she was and is a loyal and loving friend. I never knew her in real life, or heard the sound of her voice, but I look forward to meeting her and hearing her sing in another time and on another shore.
Many thoughts for Rossweisse; plus respect and admiration for Lamb Chopped who I have no doubt is just the right kind of strong support to give the best kind of comfort.
I met Rossweisse once only on the Zoom Ship church. She welcomed me personally and asked about my Ship name. I thank her for that personal touch. I admire and respect her wisdom and loving kindness in her posts, and I share her love of singing,
Peace be with you, Ross and may you be welcomed into the heavenly choir.
I've known Ross in several worlds, including the one called 'real life,' where we once had lunch at a High Table. Looking forward to seeing her again in yet another world at a yet higher table, where the singing is even more glorious.
It was a great surprise when Rossweisse sent me a PM quite some time ago letting me know that her dear aunt (the two share the same name) lived here in my town. She was unable at the time to visit her, so she asked me the great favor (it was a privilege, really!) if it wasn't too much of a bother to visit her aunt. Her aunt was as delightful as Rossweisse is! So, when Ross was able to come here to visit, we would always get together at a locally owned seafood restaurant and chat for hours!
Since then, even though she was suffering greatly, Rossweisse was always, always concerned about my health and pain. A great and gracious lady, and a good friend.
Comments
@Robert Armin praying for comfort for you in the upcoming procedure.
🕯
Amen.
The kitties are on duty. The tortoiseshell (Beatrice) was curled up to her when I was there.
Prayers ascending.
She's always been such a gracious person. As her body has worn down, she has usually been the first person to post prayers and kind thoughts for others, most of whom were in better shape that she was. She was adamant about her politics, and determined that she would live to hear that Joe Biden would be announced as the winner of the Election. It took a while, but she made it.
I never had the joy of meeting her in this life, but her illness and coming death are upsetting me more than those of many people I consider real-life friends. The Ship will be smaller without her.
Gute Wünsche (good wishes), Rossweisse, as you ride on.
And now I'm in tears.
I love you all.
"Soon, soon to faithful warriors cometh rest "
I pray for a peaceful passing for her. I hold her in the Living Loving Light.
I love the way that she didn't suffer fools gladly but she also expressed her love and appreciation for all of us here. I know that she was and is a loyal and loving friend. I never knew her in real life, or heard the sound of her voice, but I look forward to meeting her and hearing her sing in another time and on another shore.
She did it firmly, but with the grace she has shown so often on these boards.
Peace be with you, Ross and may you be welcomed into the heavenly choir.
Since then, even though she was suffering greatly, Rossweisse was always, always concerned about my health and pain. A great and gracious lady, and a good friend.
My eyes keep leaking.