From Karen O’Leary--
It is with sadness I share with you that Inge Wesdijk (Daginne
Aignend) passed away in December. She was our Poetry Editor at Whispers. Together
with Jack Horne and I, we were your editorial team until our journal
closed in June 2018. We worked well together, and our journal was better
for the partnership we shared. It seemed fitting that Jack and I do this
tribute here where she was cared about and respected for her knowledge and
kindness. She was easy to work with and share with. Our friendship
developed quickly; Inge and I were soul-sisters, a blessing that I treasured
and still do. I would like to extend my sympathy to her good friend James
and to all her family and friends that mourn her loss.
From Jack Horne--
When Inge worked with Karen and me at Whispers, it really was a pure joy.
She was always positive and encouraging, and never failed to come up with great
suggestions for my monthly challenges - in truth, her ideas were always far better
than mine, and, even when she became ill, she was always willing to help. We
remained friends after Whispers
closed to submissions, and her messages were always positive. As her illness
progressed, she still took an interest in others - and always wanted to know
how my mother and I were, rather than focusing on herself. She was a talented
poet, a true friend and a wonderful human being. My condolences to all Inge's
family and friends. May she rest in peace. I'll never forget her.
In Inge’s words, a poem published at Whispers—Published June 2018
I will overcome
Sometimes ...
I only want to lay down,
close my eyes, and sleep.
Turn reality into oblivion.
A fading spirit,
my inner strength falters.
Please, let me linger
in pleasant dreams,
and never return.
Your hand in mine, our tears
mingle in an unvoiced understanding.
The pain in your eyes
reflects your silent suffering.
For you, I will fight until
For you, I will fight until
I raze all barriers.
With you, I will overcome.
Thank you for stopping by and sharing in this tribute to our
talented and caring friend. We hope you
consider sharing a few thoughts too.
Sincerely,
Karen O’Leary
Jack Horne
One additional note regarding our journal--
ReplyDeleteThere are no plans to reopen Whispers for publication. Thank you for your understanding and support over the years.
Blessings,
Karen
Dear Karen and Jack, thank you for sharing this news at this difficult time. I'm shocked to hear of Inge's death. I will keep Inge in my thoughts as I will for her family.
ReplyDeleteKindest regards
Annie Jenkin
There was only ever one Inge as she also edited other
Deleteonline publications as well. I remember her care & skill
before whispers. Her leaving is a great loss.
Stefanie Bennett, Australia
Dear Annie,
DeleteYes, the passing of Inge is a huge loss. Thank you for sharing thoughts for the family and friends at this difficult time.
Blessings,
Karen
Dear Stefanie,
DeleteYes, there was and will be only one Inge as she engaged the hearts of writers with her kindness and understanding. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Blessings,
Karen
I am so sorry to hear this news. Inge was truly an inspiration and I will never forgot her kind encouragement.
ReplyDeleteDear Miranda,
DeleteI agree, Inge was an inspiration to many. She was both talented and encouraging. In our hearts, she lives on.
Blessings,
Karen
Thank you, Karen and Jack, for opening up Whispers, where we may offer condolences, and reminisce of carefree days and dedicated nights... Daginne touched many lives in this domain, all to the good.
ReplyDeleteAnd, that girl could sing.
Dear Michael,
DeleteThank you for letting me know about Inge's passing. Yes, she did touch many lives. She has a special place in my heart.
Blessings, my friend,
Karen
In the short time after my first contact with Inge, I knew she was a "special spirit".
ReplyDeleteIt saddened me to learn of her illness and subsequent departure from our world.
My condolences to her family and friends.
Peace, Love and Blessings...!🕊️❤️😇
James Dean Chase
Dear James,
DeleteI agree with your "special spirit" when defining Inge. As we mourn her loss, we also remember what she meant to us. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Blessings,
Karen
Very sad news. She was a great poet. Her poetry portrays humanism.I express my deep condolences to the bereaved family. RIP
ReplyDeletePravat
Dear Pravat,
DeleteIt is a challenging time for those that mourn Inge's passing. Thank you for expressing your condolences and for your kind thoughts.
Blessings,
Karen
We never met, yet I have lost a good, close friend. James is absolutely right, she was, and still is, a special spirit and the world is a colder, sadder place with her passing.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Thank you for stopping by to share your thoughts. Please accept my sympathy for the loss of your close friend. Inge lives on in our hearts.
DeleteBlessings,
Karen
Dear Karen and Jack, thank you for coming up with the Inge Wesdijk tribute. It is a noble and befitting honour. I will miss her kindness, her humility and her professionalism. She was a heroic,gifted and passionate poet,friend,editor and inspirer.May her soul rest in eternal peace.
ReplyDeleteDear Ndaba,
DeleteWhat a beautiful tribute to our beloved friend. I agree with you in that "May her soul rest in eternal peace." She deserved this in her gentle ways and recent faith. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Blessings,
Karen
I learnt of Inge's passing away while reading the Jan/Feb issue of Creative Inspirations. Needless to say it came as a shock, totally out of the blue. Inge was talented, helpful and dedicated. She will be truly missed. Undoubtedly she is now reaping the good that she sowed during her lifetime. May she rest in peace. My condolences go to her beloved ones and friends. The poem posted above now makes more sense.
ReplyDeleteDear Paul,
DeleteThank you for your kind remembrance of our beloved friend. She worked with writers of all levels, helping those that needed a bit of editing with some thoughts. Whispers was born of wanting to give beginning writers and seasoned veterans equal opportunity if they were willing to work with the editorial staff. Inge was the embodiment of the goals of Whispers. I also got to know her as a friend and miss her encouraging voice. Hope to join you, Inge and a host of other writers in heaven.
Blessings,
Karen
A poet and understanding editor, she certainly enriched the issue with her professional touch. This sudden news of her passing away certainly saddens my heart with others. I mourn her demise.
ReplyDeleteAju Mukhopadhyay
Dear Aju,
DeleteThank you for these heartwarming words regarding Inge's role in our poetry community. Yes, she did approach writing with professionalism. Like you, I miss her dearly.
Blessings,
Karen
Very sad to know that dear Inge’s demise, my deepest condolences to family n friends. Her golden pen will keep sending us messages n her thoughtful emotive words will be remembered always. May she rest in peace. The poem posted above has gained more meaning today.
ReplyDeleteRegards
Dear Upma,
DeleteI'm so glad you feel the last sentence of your thoughts as it was my goal to showcase not only Inge's writing ability but that her poem was an embodiment of what she shared. She will be remembered as a person that wanted to help others. We are richer for knowing her.
Blessings,
Karen
I am in a state of shock and disbelief. Inge and I collaborated in our poetry> I had kept in touch with ecards, wondering why the latest went
ReplyDeleteunanswered. My prayers are with her beloved partner, The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God. Rest eternal grant unto her, and may perpetual light shine on her,
Dear Jack,
DeleteWhat a wonderful and talented woman our friend Inge was and still is. I can envision her encouraging other voices in heaven. Rock on Inge! I look forward to meeting her again.
Blessings,
Karen
I am deeply sorry to hear of Inge's passing, she was a special person and will be much missed by us all.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends of whom I am sure there are many!
My she Rest In Blessed Peace
George x
Dear George,
DeleteThank you for these condolences for those that loved our talented and caring friend. I appreciate your heartfelt words and prayers.
Blessings always,
Karen
so very sorry...I briefly worked with her on translations for Whispers' in February 2018...Inge Wesdijk (Daginne Aignend) was such a vibrant and lovely woman...God bless...
ReplyDeleteDear Pat,
DeleteThank you for sharing your thoughts on our gifted friend. Inge will be remembered as a talents and caring editor and writer. I miss her dearly.
Blessings,
Karen
Sorry to hear this. She was very nice and I enjoyed reading her poetry. Prayers and blessings to everyone.
ReplyDeleteDear Mary,
DeleteI agree with you that Inge was kind and that her poetry was touched you is not a surprise. Thank you for your support and prayers.
Blessings,
Karen
Death,
ReplyDeleteis it an erasure? A passing away, as they say,
from this, our world, to that unknown?
Did she die then?
Did she go,
to somewhere we would not know, until
it's our day?
Does she not live still,
in our mind, as a thought,
as that smile, and that rush of gold,
that flow of a million golden strands
that decked the head of the queen
that she was?
Can she ever go away,
from those that called her friend?
From those she called her friends?
Can she die for them?
Can she?
Dear Rajnish,
DeleteWhat a lovely tribute to Inge. She can never die for me as she is a part of my soul. I hops that there will be tributes in other venues that she published in. It would be nice to see her words living on.
Blessings,
Karen
Although I did not Inge for a long time, I knew her talent and caring personality. Her loss is tragic and she will remain int he hearts of all who knew her. May she rest in peace, and may light perpetual shine on her.
ReplyDeleteDear Dr. Turfa,
DeleteThe common thread in this tribute to Inge is her caring and talent. Caring comes first in my mind as she worked with writers of various skill levels in her capacity as Poetry Editor for Whispers. She was encouraging and her recommendations to the writers she worked valid in helping to journey forward with their writing.
Blessings,
Karen
Daginne was a gift to us all.
ReplyDeleteWe are better having known her.
Many people felt her positivity and enjoyed her spirit.
Dear Michael,
DeleteI agree. Inge was a wonderful friend and writer/editor. Her kind spirit encouraged others. So sad to have to say good bye. Thank you for your kind thoughts.
Blessings,
Karen
Heartfelt condolences to Inje's grieving family. May she rest in eternal peace.
ReplyDeleteAmen Sheikha. Thank you for stopping by and sharing these lovely words. Best wishes with your writing.
DeleteBlessings,
Karen
She was such a joy, and still is, have you seen her website?
ReplyDeleteIs she still there? Her poetry lives, so she lives, too!
visit her @ Friends-in-Poetry
https://www.daginne.com/index.php/home/friends-in-poetry
Dear Carl,
DeleteThank you for sharing Inge's website for those that want to see more about our kind and caring friend. Yes, she does live on though her words.
Blessings my friend,
Karen
I love Rajnish Mishra's poem that reminds us that Inge lives on in our minds as a thought...a very sweet one indeed. Many blessings and condolences to her family and loved ones.
ReplyDeleteDear Molly,
DeleteI think Rajnish's poem is a lovely tribute to Inge. I hope we will be sharing poetry in heaven one day. Thank you for stopping by to share your kind words.
Blessings,
Karen
Inge was a special soul with a beautiful hear. She made all our lives better just by being so generous and kind with her words and deeds. She will always have a special place in my heart.
ReplyDeleteDear Joanne,
DeleteInge was indeed a special soul, one in which we became soul-sisters. She lives on in my heart. Thank you for stopping by to share these lovely thoughts.
Blessings,
Karen
Dear Karen,
ReplyDeleteHow sad I was to learn of Inge's passing. She was a very lovely
person who gave great encouragement,
May her memory live on in her lovely poetry.
I will remember her with joy.
Dear Yvonne,
DeleteThat you remember Inge with joy is a fitting thoughts for our friend. I hope to be sharing poetry with her one day in heaven. Thank you for stopping by to share your words, my friend.
Blessings,
Karen
What a wonderful poet/artist/musician/editor...a flower in full bloom.
ReplyDeleteDear Joan,
DeleteThank you so much for your kind words. I hope you are doing well and sharing your poetry too.
Blessings,
Karen
So very sad to hear this and read her intense and heartfelt words. Thank you for all you and the team did to create Whispers.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Dwight. It was a special pleasure to work with Inge and John. We made a good team of like minded people. It was a pleasure to have you a part of Whispers.
DeleteBlessings,
Karen
Wow! Thank you for this outpouring of support for our friend with a beautiful and caring spirit and for sharing her talent as a writer and editor at Whispers. I will be responding individually to all these comments but wanted to drop by and share my appreciation.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Karen
Thank you, Andrea, for the following--
ReplyDeleteMy condolences to the family of Inge. I did not know her personally, but I I can tell that she and Karen did amazing things for the poetry community. Sincerely, Andrea Dietrich
Dear Andrea,
DeleteInge was a special person both as an editor and friend. She cared about the writers we worked with at Whispers like me. Thank you for your kind words.
Blessings,
Karen
Thank you, Kelvin Shachile, for the following--
ReplyDeleteSo sad. How hard it is for me to receive this news. Daginne was so precious. How she held me up to publish my first poem in the whispers.
May her soul rest in peace.
Thanks for the news.
Dear Kelvin,
DeleteYes, the news is indeed sad as we say good by to a friend who enriched the lives of others. Thank you for being a part of Whispers and for your kind words.
Blessings,
Karen
ReplyDeleteThank you, Vincent Van Ross, for the following--
Dear Friends,
I am so sad to hear this. I join you in this hour of bereavement and pray to God to grant her noble soul eternal peace. I was wondering because I did not hear from her when I sent out my seasonal greetings to all of you.
Thank you so much for informing us.
Regards and best wishes,
Vincent
Dear Vincent,
DeleteI am sad about Inge's passing too. She was a special and talented friend. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Blessings,
Karen
Thank you for sharing the sad news. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family. She was a talented, caring individual and will certainly be missed by all who were acquainted with her.
ReplyDeleteDear Charlene,
DeleteI agree with you. Inge was a special person and her passing was sad. I hope to give her a big hug in heaven one day. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Blessings,
Karen
Dear Karen and Jack,
ReplyDeleteYes, my friends, we all will miss Inge not only for her talents which were plenty, but also for her kind and loving nature. I still keep her and James' Christmas greetings and it is hard to believe that she passed away. Love, Gert
Dear Gert,
DeleteI totally agree with you. Our friend, Inge, was a special person we will carry on in our hearts. Thank you for your kind words.
Blessings,
Karen
In the short time I knew Inge, we had a few very good conversations. She was the Creative Inspirations May / June 2018 "Spotlight" author. When I heard of her passing, my heart sank. I will miss her and the warm presence I felt through our email conversations. I pray that she is resting with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and I pray for comfort and peace for her family and loved ones.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Karen and Jack, for this tribute. Inge will be deeply missed.
-MJ
Dear Maurice,
DeleteIt was a pleasure to share this tribute with Whispers' readers. I'm glad you were able to honor her with a Creative Inspirations' "Spotlight" feature. I know it meant a lot to her. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Like you, I miss her.
Blessings,
Karen
Dear Whispers' Family,
ReplyDeleteI miss you my friends. This outpouring for Inge means a lot to me. May you find places in you writing journeys to encourage others. As with Inge, a caring heart helps new writers get the support they need to move writing into the next generation. THANK YOU, INGE, FOR ALL THAT YOU WERE AND ALL THAT YOU ARE.
In sympathy,
Karen
Thank you, Phyllis Babcock for the following--
ReplyDeleteIt is with sadness to hear of the passing of our talented writer and editor Inge. My deepest condolences to her family and friends at this sad time. My thoughts and prayers are with you. love phyl
Dear Phyllis,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kindness in this season of sadness. I miss Inge. She was such a special person. I'm so glad for all the support from you and other Whispers' friends.
Blessings and best wishes,
Karen
Dear Karen and Jack,
ReplyDeleteIt has been almost a month since I learnt of Inge's death through Karen's post.It was not good news,I wished that it was just a thought. A month is gone and the reality is that was promoted to glory. I remember her kind advise on submissions that needed to be rewritten, she offered her suggestions in a most unoffending way.Inge was inspirational as well as exceptional. She is now a cherished memory,as per a line in one of her poems,I will"...let her linger..." in my mind.May her family be comforted,and may you Karen and Jack find the courage to soldier on.I have a poem entitled "of death" published by Parousia magazine which I dedicate to Inge's memory.
Dear Denis,
DeleteNo, it was not good news to lose our beloved Inge. I hope she is heaven sharing the gift of words. I hope to dance again with her. She was a wonderful friend, and I miss her dearly. Thank you for sharing your kind thoughts.
Blessings,
Karen
Dear Clipping Path,
ReplyDeleteThough Whispers is no longer open for submissions there is knowledge imparted in our journal. That's why it is still available for reading. Best wishes with your writing journey.
Blessings,
Karen