Death Happens, Too

Sixty-six years of marriage. #togetherforever

I am a really old orphan.

I said it out loud and got an interesting look. Up and then down.

I know. I’m not Orphan Annie. I’m a mom and a grandma.

And an orphan.

I saw myself in the mirror this morning as I was getting ready and all the sudden I stopped and really saw me.

I looked the same as I looked last week, before…

Everything changed in the space between one minute and the next.

They are gone and I’m still learning from them. A long time ago, they showed me how to do this stuff, when their parents passed away.

I didn’t know they were also teaching me how to go on without them. They taught me about Life and Death and I’m profoundly grateful to them and miss them more than I can find the words to express.

But I wouldn’t call them back from the joyful reunion they are experiencing right now. Because they taught me not to be selfish—in fact, all the good things I am, I learned from them.

Any faults are all mine. But they taught me about that, too. That I can work on them, that I can get better.

Today, I’m not asking for comments on the blog because everyone has been so wonderful over on Facebook. I’m overwhelmed and touched by the outpouring of love and support. Thank you from the bottom, the top, and the middle of my heart.

If you need to do something, then hug someone and tell them you love them. You never know when it will be your last time to do that.

And you will miss those hugs.

Perilously yours,

Pauline