November 29, 2012 – Yes, that’s me on the right. This would be about 1969 or 1970. There’s my Dad. And that’s my Mom.
Wasn’t she beautiful? My brother and I look pretty dorky, but she was so lovely. And so lively.
Today was hard, again. I was poking though some things and found a box of things that were Christmas gifts for this year. I know because one was a gift for my brother and I was there when she bought it. I was trying to sort through some things that could be used by others at this time of year, but I didn’t get far before I was reaching for tissues. It’s just so hard.
We did manage a few things, not the least of which were picking up some prints of old photos, including this one, and picking up the Memorial card I designed for tomorrow. But those were rather difficult too.
I walked to the neighbour’s to speak with her, and she invited me in for a glass of wine and to share a box of tissues. She is a cancer survivor, and a little younger than Mom. She said that when things like this happen it is a wake up call to not put things off. I agree. If there are things that need to be said, things that need to be done, then it’s important to do them and not wait, because none of us knows what lies around the bend in the road. Don’t leave kindnesses unspoken, and do leave things unkind unsaid. Where there is conflict, make peace. And where there is love, make it known.
A little later, a friend of Mom’s dropped by to drop off a pie and a casserole. She had volunteered to adopt Mom’s budgie, and although I actually do like budgies, I felt it was right to let Joy take it. It was hard to see it leave and she and I cried together in the driveway for a bit. All of this is so damned hard.
An old family friend called, she and her husband can’t make it up – really the roads re so horrid I am glad they are not risking themselves. We had a fairly long discussion and she is putting pen to paper to communicate some stories of the early years that they and my parents shared. I am looking forward to those stories.
Two of Mom’s cousins are coming tomorrow, and I’m very glad. She loved them both very much, and it will mean a great deal to have them here. This is such a crappy time of year for travel and the effort to come this far is appreciated. And again, I am looking forward to the stories. Mom had an interesting life, it was full of laughter and I am looking forward to sharing some of that, along wiht the tears that will flow.
So again, I did not pick up my camera today. It just feels to hard right now. But I thought I’d share another special photo instead. As I will tomorrow too.
2 comments