I have grown to value the gift of remembering. As I have worked through my story, invited others to consider there’s and journeyed through losing people dear to me, it is important to me to honor remembering spaces.
Tonight and tomorrow, we remember the journey of my Dad’s last weeks. These last weeks I have been reflecting on the 7 weeks from his diagnosis to his death. We did not know he would have only 7 weeks, and it was not long enough.
But how long is long enough?
Really tomorrow, we celebrate my Dad’s life. My Dad was given 78 years. He was a man who enjoyed living. He did not focus on his own health habits much. He enjoyed his pipe, and he considered Southern Comfort to be the best whiskey! He loved his family, his friends, his work, and the Church. My Dad traveled the world and loved to take a trip. As I got older, it will always be dear to me how he loved and cared for my Mom. It was clear she was his favorite person.
My Dad lived fully till the end. The morning he went to the hospital for sudden onset of pain, he and my Mom were planning to go to Church. We did not know that May 21, 2018, would be his last day until a few hours into the ER visit. It was clear that he was fading, and we gathered and stood with him and stood together. God’s grace released him quickly as he transitioned to his heavenly home. I am grateful that it was not weeks or even days that he lingered. And with that day, we went from enjoying him to remembering him. There will always be an ache in that.
We will remember together tomorrow. We will continue to live and laugh and love. We will continue to honor my Dad’s life and live in the ways he and my Mom have taught us. We continue to admire my Mom’s courage to live fully, even though she has lost her sounding board, companion, and soul mate.
I wonder how you do with honoring your remembering spaces? Be creative, create space, and allow your heart to honor the joy and the sorrow. Grief is complicated, but it is best processed in remembering!
I miss you, Dad,
Blessed be His name!
Love you