FYI – Sad News From Richard

/ May 31, 2018

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:

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. ”

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56 thoughts on “FYI – Sad News From Richard”

    • 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.

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  2. 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…

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    • 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.

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      • 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

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        • 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.

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  3. 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.

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  5. 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.

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  6. 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.

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    • 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.

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  11. 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.

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    • 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.

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    • 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.

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  14. 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.

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    • 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…

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  15. 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.

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    • 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.

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  18. 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.

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    • 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.

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  19. 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.

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  20. 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.

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    • 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…

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  21. 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.

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    • 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.

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