Please do not take this as a sensationalist post – I’d rather not be the bearer of such sad news, but for the information of those of you who are not on Twitter, Richard has just posted this tweet:
— Richard Armitage (@RCArmitage) May 31, 2018
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
This post comes with my heartfelt sympathies for the Armitages’ loss. Without personally knowing Mrs A, I think we can nevertheless say that she must have been a lovely, formidable woman – on the basis of how the product of her education and influence conducts himself. Respectful, polite, willing to give his best at all times, sensitive, empathic. May she rest in peace.
Please do follow the link in Richard’s tweet where he has not only written a wonderful tribute to his mum, but where he is also fundraising for the hospice that took care of Mrs Armitage in her last weeks. A veritable, worthy cause – which I may also keep in mind for future fundraisers.
There is nothing else to say. I feel for Richard and his family, and I believe in the power of positive thoughts which I am sending to them. They worked for me when you all supported me in *my* time of need.
Leaving you with a poem that was sent to me those four summers ago – I still love it, and it gives me strength:
“Death is nothing at all,
I have only slipped into the next room
I am I and you are you
Whatever we were to each other, that we are still.
Call me by my old familiar name,
Speak to me in the easy way which you always used
Put no difference in your tone,
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow
Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household world that it always was,
Let it be spoken without effect, without the trace of shadow on it.
Life means all that it ever meant.
It it the same as it ever was, there is unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near,
Just around the corner.
All is well. ”
Oh no, how sad. Thanks for posting and also for the poem, which I love.
LikeLike
I feel as if I was taking advantage of horrible news for the sake of clicks, but I thought that maybe some readers are not on Twitter and might appreciate a heads-up.
The poem is just wonderful – I received it when my dad died.
LikeLike
Oh no…. that is very sad news indeed. And brave under the circumstances to talk about it publicly in any way.
Lovely poem and yes, we’ll see if any small contribution for the hospice can be made…
LikeLike
It explains the silence in the last weeks. And it is nice of him to share the sad news. He must know that we all feel with him…
I’m sure any contribution will be welcome.
LikeLike
I thought it would be the filming, it’s not unusual for him to be quiet for longer periods. I’m just very sad it’s because of such sad news. I have to confess i feel very touched he felt he wanted to share a bit of his grief with us, i hope the heartfelt support will make him feel a tiny bit better, or you know, somewhat comforted, loved. And these caring places can always do with more support, every little bit counts
LikeLiked by 1 person
I assumed the same, or that he was simply taking time out. He’s never been big into tweeting or other public socialising, so periods of absence happen all the time. It’s very touching indeed that he has decided to officially acknowledge the news and to raise awareness for the local hospice. And yes, I hope that in this case, he will glance through his replies – just to see how much love and warmth and sympathy is sent his way. I am convinced that it makes a difference, even if intangible.
LikeLiked by 3 people
What a lousy week ☹️ My mother in law passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday and now the sad news of Richard’s loss. He and his family are in my thoughts.
Thankyou for posting this poem. It was given to me when I lost my father just over thirty years ago and I still derive comfort from it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So sorry to hear that you have had a bereavement in your own family, Mezz. My sympathies to you!
I didn’t mention it in the post but it was actually you who sent me the poem in 2014. I loved it the first time I read it, and we used the German translation in our official note of thanks to all the people who had expressed their sympathy to us. Instead of wallowing in grief, it urges you to go on and to celebrate the shared moments. I like that. Thank you!
LikeLike
Thank you S.
I wondered for a moment if I was the source, although I wasn’t assuming as such – beautiful thoughts like those expressed in the poem find their way through many avenues when needed.
LikeLike
They do – and they really do have power!
LikeLike
really sorry for your loss, sending you hugs x
LikeLike
Thankyou Hari x
LikeLike
I’m so sorry for your loss, Mezz. Thinking of you and your family at this time.
LikeLike
Thankyou Perry x
LikeLike
I’m so sorry for your loss Mezz. Sincere condolences to you and your dear husband. You are in my prayers.
LikeLike
Thanks for posting the poem 🌷
LikeLike
It’s truly consoling. I love it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Armitage Agonistes and commented:
I found Guylty’s post in my notifications this morning. I think it somewhat remarkable that Richard Armitage shared this with us after time. In a good way, because I feel he not only wanted to pay tribute to his mother who sacrificed and supported to set him on his path, but because he wanted to share those thoughts with his fans, and he thinks enough of us to let us know what happened.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Your poem selection is lovely. Thank you for this. Of course we were all wondering what happened after he expressed his frustration with the NHS backlog earlier this year.
LikeLike
Glad you like the poem. It really soothed the pain when I read it after losing my dad.
Yes, he really kept a brave face all that time. It must have been really hard, going on as usual yet worrying all the time about his mum. I feel so sorry for him.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Rest in Peace Mrs Armitage and may Light Perpetual Shine upon you. You will be sorely missed by all of us who admired you from afar.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on zee's muse and commented:
Oh no. My deepest condolences, sympathy, and heart felt prayers go out to Richard, his father, and his brother’s family.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for the news. I am not on tweeter. what a powerful poem. Thank you Guytly and Mezz..
LikeLike
Glad you have liked the poem. It is a great consolation for me.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Unkraut vergeht nicht….oder doch? and commented:
Goodbye Mama Armitage 😦
LikeLiked by 1 person
I truly empathize with Richard’s pain, as our family will bury my beloved grandfather today. I was so fortunate to have been able to travel to visit with Papa last week, and I hope the same comfort applies to Richard, that he was able to be there with his mother and with his family at the end. His tribute to his lovely Mum this morning touched my heart so much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So sorry for your loss. I remember the beautiful blog post about a visit with him ( Florida?) that you put up a while back.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am so sorry to hear that J! sending many hugs your way. Good you were able to be there and i am sure there are many many lovely memories which will stay with you forever xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, I am so sorry to hear that, J! How lucky that you were able to see him just last week, and say your goodbyes. That is an invaluable treasure to have, on top of the memories. I hope Richard was able to say goodbye, too – as unbearably sad as that is, it really helps with the grieving process, I think.
His tribute to his mum was really beautiful – the love and warmth tangible in the words.
LikeLiked by 1 person
How very sad for you. You can certainly empathize, suffering such a loss yourselves.
LikeLike
*hugs* I’m so sorry.
LikeLike
Thanks for sharing the news for those of us not on Twitter. Very sad. What a wonderful heartfelt piece written by a loving son.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, I thought it might be nice to pass on the news in a timely fashion…
The piece he wrote was very touching indeed, and really shows the close relationship he had. Such lovely words to be written about a mother. I am sure she was (and is) proud.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Oh no! This explains so much, as people have said before me.
Hopefully in time he’ll find comfort in remembering all she was for him, but it takes so long to reach that stage.
Condolences too to everyone who has lost loved ones recently. I agree, the poem strikes just the right note.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, that puts a different spin on the silence of the recent weeks. Memories, so painful at first, and then become the greatest treasure. He has always talked of his mum fondly, and from the little character portrait provided by him, we can all see why. One never gets over losing a loved one, but hopefully over time, the happy memories will cancel out the acute pain…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for sharing the lovely poem and sharing the sad news. I hope everyone who is facing the loss of a loved one can take comfort in its message.
LikeLike
Words are never enough, but sometimes they can provide a little bit of hope…
Sorry to have been the messenger of such sad news…
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing the sad news. I´m so sorry for his loss.
And thanks as well for this wonderful poem.
LikeLike
The news really shocked me. I have been thinking about Mrs A all day. Hopefully, all the good thoughts have somehow made their way over to the Armitages.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for posting and for including the poem, Guylty. I feel sad for him, and touched by the lovely photo that he included with his tweet.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Have you looked at the tribute he posted? That’s where the photo comes from – as well as two other images. A beautifully written appreciation of his mother, very loving and humble and grateful. You can feel that it is a reflection of the close relationship the family have with each other.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, indeed, he was fortunate to have such a wonderful mother, and I’m sure she was extremely proud of him.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such sad news. I remember how kind she was at the Crucible stage door when she made sure someone received a signed ticket in the post , I am sure she will always be remembered with affection amongst Richard’s well-wishers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is such a good point. I think we all appreciated her one way or another – for the way she raised her son to be a decent man in an ‘indecent’ business, and for her own activity as the coordinator of his fan mail.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Shocked and much saddened when I read on Instagram that she had passed away. I have to admit that I wept when I read it. He must be heartbroken at her loss. But what lovely memories he will have too. My sympathies to those of you who have recently lost loved ones too. My heart goes out to you.
LikeLike
Thank you S. so much for sharing all the info as I’m not on twitter.
LikeLike
You’re welcome!
LikeLike
It really shocked me too – I think she was too young to go. At least they had an opportunity to say goodbye – although that is heartbreaking in its own way, especially when you have such a close relationship as they seemed to have. He really is to her credit.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree. I think they had a very special bond. She really seemed to be a lovely lady.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for sharing as I am not on Twitter. Such sad news and my thoughts go out to him. My mother-in-law pass away 6 weeks ago She also was on hospice the last 3 months she was alive. It is hard to loss your parent or in my husband and I both of them.
LikeLike
So sorry to hear that you had a bereavement, too, Katie. And yes, it is a horrible feeling, losing one’s parent… I still think of my dad every single day…
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing Guylty, I’m not on Twitter. Rest in Peace Mrs Armitage.
The poem is lovely, I’m glad it brought you comfort at a time you needed it, now I hope it brings comfort again to Mezz and her husband.
LikeLike
I love the poem because it is hopeful and positive in outlook – and ultimately so true. Just because we don’t see/hear them anymore, doesn’t mean that our relationship with the deceased has to change. They are still our fathers and mothers, just in a different place. A lovely thought.
LikeLike
Guylty, such a lovely, solemn post.
LikeLike
Thank you.
LikeLike