
Slice of Life Tuesday is a weekly writing challenge hosted at “Two Writing Teachers” that encourages us to take a look at a small part of what is happening in our lives and share it.
This past week was a difficult one. We had known my husband’s dad wasn’t well for awhile. We had gone to Montreal at Easter and visited with him. But last Monday we got news that Dad had slipped away peacefully, just a month short of his 88th birthday. Although we were expecting it, it was much sooner than we thought it would be, and was a shock.
Wednesday we left once again for Montreal, an eight drive. This time we were accompanied by Bill’s daughter and her son, so we were sandwiched in the car. Even though we usually travel alone, it was comforting to have someone else with us this time.
The next few days were filled with visiting, stories, tears, the visitations on Thursday and then the funeral on Friday. Bill has a large family and most made the trip.His father was one of 8 children and each sibling had 5 or more children. It seems that lately it has been funerals where we get to see each other. So good to connect with family, but a sad time to do it.
I experienced so many emotions and thoughts this time. I had known Dad for almost 14 years and I found him a charming, funny but difficult man at times. He was always kind to me, but Bill had a different, harder relationship as the oldest son.We already miss those weekly calls where we discussed horses and racing. We will miss the yearly visits with him to Saratoga as well. Bill’s siblings are already planning that trip already – as a homage to their Dad.
As we helped Bill’s sister clear out Dad’s things from his apartment on Saturday, i was struck again with how survivors view those worldly goods of their loved ones. We question why they were special. I can only imagine how my children will view my special things after I am gone. They already think I have too much stuff! I’ve decided to start a catalogue of things I want them to know the history of and why they were important to me. It won’t guarantee they will be kept, but at least they will know what their meaning was.
Death causes us to take stock, to reflect, to pause and honour our loved one, to see our place in the grand scheme of things. I’m still reflecting since we came home Sunday.