Busy Two Weeks: Episode Three
To continue my narrative, we finally arrived back in Knoxville on Saturday evening. We parked the truck and crashed.
On Sunday morning we organized a couple of helpers to unload the truck. We had a partially full storage unit that, with a bit of reorganization, would probably take the contents of the truck as well.
We started to unload and were well underway with about half the truck empty when I received a telephone call from my brother. It seems that my mother had developed an infection, was admitted to the hospital, and was actually not doing well at all.
I needed to get to Western New York ASAP.
I left the boys on the dock on their own. I went home organize a ticket and threw some laundry in the washing machine. When I returned to the dock the truck was 98% empty. We returned the truck after unloading the rest of the stuff. I had some quick food so that I had something to eat that day then headed for the airport.
My mother passed while I was sitting in the Detroit airport waiting for a connecting flight.
While her memory had been declining for several years, she seemed to be on an even keel with her health. This was totally unexpected.
I spent the remainder of the week with my siblings sorting out details. Cleaning out mom's house and getting it ready for some renters that we were expecting. It now appears that the bank will not allow us to do that until the estate has been settled.
While it was a difficult week, we felt mom all around us. The image at the top of this post is Highland Park. For two weeks out of the year it's in full bloom. The park was designed by the same architect that did Central Park in New York City (Frederick Law Olmsted) and has over 15,000 lilac bushes.
While visiting the park, one of her favorite things to do, we were serenaded by a Baltimore Oriole. For many years growing up we had a pair nesting in our backyard. We were also visited at the mortuary by an American Robin, Every year in the spring we had a competition to see who would see the first Robin of the year.
This one seemed to say, " I wish you well"
It was a hard week.
My computer is still on the fritz and today I learned that the display that was ordered was damaged in transit.
If there is one bright moment though, my toe has finally healed over.
I guess I should be grateful for the small things.
But I miss my Mommy. :-(
So there you have it folks. 15 days of strenuous activity. No way to be online and a family tragedy on top of it all.
Things should calm down a bit around here and I'll be able to focus on writing once again.
How was your last two weeks?
Recent Comments
23
I am sincerely sorry for the loss of your mother. I lost both of my parents when I was newly married, in my early twenties. I have gone my entire adult life without them. I have missed them, each one, at various times, even to the point of picking up the phone to call. Nothing can replace a parent's affect on our lives. You will continue to 'feel her' around you for the rest of your life. She will never truly leave you.
Wishing you blessing of comfort at this difficult time.
Candice
OMG. I am so sorry. I lost my daddy on the 23rd of December, 2017. I can't imaging loosing my momma. I'm just so sorry. You've just got to be wiped out physically and emotionally. I have no words. My thoughts and prayers will be with you today.
All the best,
Wendi
Craig,
Another touching story from a man that watches the Monarchs migrate.
There is no way to prepare for death. The aftermath is different every time. All anyone can do is offer support.
When my husband passed over 3 years ago , I changed. Life had new meaning it became precious. Every moment savored.
We are on borrowed time all of us.
Take time for yourself and get the much needed rest. You are a man that meets challenges, but don't be afraid to break down so the healing can start.
Mourn and live the best way you know how. There is no right way.
Thanks for being vulnerable and sharing this precious moment.
To answer your question the past two weeks have been pretty busy helping a peer facing an eviction and helping her find a shelter to transfer to. She is depressed with her circumstances and it has been hard to get her out of bed to prepare for the move.
She is stalling for what is inevitable.
I went yearly on June 1st and excited about my new focus. I went yearly on June 1st 2018 and found a new goal All in all, another day in the life of WA. I know you understand what I mean.
It's good to see you back online. We missed you.
All the best,
Louisa
Awe, crap, So sorry to hear about your loss. Sadly I've had my fair share of death and loss in the past few years. Last year alone we lost my grandmother and my uncle. Before that, it was my dad. So far this year is going ok. Of course, things always seem to happen when we're not expecting them and are too busy with everything else. Hopefully, things start to look up for you and remember she will always be with you.
I feel for your loss because I know how hard it is to lose your mother. When I have lost my mother she was only 52 years old. I thought that she was too young to die. I think about her almost every day and miss her very intensely. I really wish that she was here right now...
With time the anguish goes away and you have only the good memories that makes her a whole image of sadness in your heart. I really miss her dearly... The feelings end up calm and that's when you start to accept the fact that you will be with her one day and finally be able to enjoy each other's company without all the evil attachments that life on the Earth have you had it.
You must know that life on Earth with so many contradiction, greedy and men going around twisting the law in order to make things available to him the easiest way. We all somehow get caught in this web of good and bad intentions that sometimes it becomes hard to distinguish what is right and what is wrong after all.
We just have to hang there and try to at least treat people the way we would like to be treated and hope for the best, trying not to get swallowed up in this terrible web, like I have said before, all the confusion after she said, he said, everyone are saying... As always getting a grip on have common sense and hold on hard to your instincts that has driven you all the way to today. Always trying to do the right thing, no matter how hard it is, sometimes. And, I still miss my mother...
Aaaaw. I was not expecting such a sad ending to your story, Craig. Am so sorry for your loss. My deepest condolences. Good for you for being so conscious of your Mom's presence... She will always be there for you in Spirit, as she always has. I can only imagine how much you miss her. Devastating.
So sorry for your loss Craig and condolences to you and your family.
I remember clearing out my Dad's flat (apartment) after his death and although it was obviously sad it was good to share memories with my sister, brother and sister in law. I think it helped with the grieving process.
Time to get a bit of rest now hopefully.
Best Wishes
Hazel
I'm so sorry for the sudden loss of your dear mother. I know it's a very difficult time for you and your family. I lost my mother a year ago in February, and I can finally look at pictures of her that I've taken over the years that I was her caregiver without crying most of the time now.
May your precious memories of your mother help comfort you during this difficult time.
Praying that God will grant you comfort and peace in the days ahead.
Carol
Condolences on the passing of your mom Craig, it can be a challenging time, best wishes as you work through it all.
Sometimes things can get so busy and there are only so many hours in the day. You will be looking forward to getting back to that normal routine.
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Craig,
So sorry for your loss. Stressful weeks for sure.
Hope things level out soon.
You will miss your Mom for the rest of your life. You got to have her a good while as I did, Mom was 95 when she passed. She did leave a void in my life.
Blessings to you,
Sami