Just Read this about Life.......

pulsevoices.org

The Screening - Pulse

In 2006, my dad was determined to attend the funeral when his last living brother died. The problem was, Daddy, eighty-two at the time, suffered from cognitive impairment bad enough that for months I’d been trying to get him to move to my home in Tennessee. This trip he was intent on taking would have required a cross-country flight from North Carolina to California—maneuvering through airports, finding a hotel and driving unfamiliar roads in a rental car. “Daddy, you can’t go out there alone,” I said, wedging the phone between my jaw and shoulder to free my hands for folding laundry. “Well, why not?” “Airports are large and confusing. And driving in LA would be a nightmare.” “Mother and I did it,” he said. “Fifteen years ago, Daddy. You were a lot younger, and you had Mother to navigate while you drove.” “Mother didn’t nag me!” Daddy exclaimed. “Navigate, Daddy. I said navigate.” It was becoming increasingly harder to determine if his confusion was coming from hearing loss or dementia. “Oh.” He was quiet for a minute. Then: “You could go with me.” I pictured him sitting in his usual spot, the blue recliner in the sunroom. He was always » Continue Reading.

This story reminds me of my dad who died about 16 years ago. He always prayed to God to take him before my mum because it would be easier, he thought. My mum could not cope without him. She died barely 15 months after. They were married for 55 years.

That’s such a powerful and tender memory to share. Losing both of my parents in such close succession was incredibly hard, and the way their lives were intertwined for 55 years says so much about the depth of their bond. My dad’s worry about my mum, and then my mum passing not long after him, carries a kind of bittersweet truth about how connected they were.

Thinking about them brings up a mix of warmth and sadness, that’s completely human. Grief doesn’t really follow a timeline, especially when the relationship was that long and meaningful. May they continue to rest in peace, Amen.