Family Loss

This has been a week of loss for our family: two family members in just two days. One, a grand-nephew only 49 years old, who fought a valiant battle against pancreatic cancer, succumbed to that terrible disease. He and his family knew that he was going to leave them. Being of Christian faith, they are secure in the knowledge that he is now in a much better place. That does not change the fact that there will be a great gaping hole in the lives of the family left behind: his parents, wife, children and other family members will be confronted with this empty space, which can only be dealt with one day at a time. I recall a song that says, “One day at a time, Lord, one day at a time.” And I believe living “One day at a time,” is part of the Alcoholics Anonymous creed. Attempting to look at a possibly long road ahead without the person we’ve lost can be overwhelming. Just too much to contemplate.

The day following David’s death, my youngest sister, aged 63, died suddenly and unexpectedly in a car-train accident, where she apparently drove in front of an on-coming train at an unprotected crossing. I’m sure she neither heard nor saw the train, but of course I don’t know why. Was she distracted? Was there a medical reason? A medication side effect that made her less aware of her surroundings?

Susan was not only my youngest sister, but the youngest in our family of 12 children, eight boys and four girls. Now there are only four left, two boys and two girls. The two younger girls were born after I married and were near the age of my own two daughters. They grew up together, more like cousins than aunts and nieces.

The news about Susan was so unexpected, I was in shock. The blood pressure soared and I couldn’t speak without stuttering for a while, until it began to descend to a more acceptable rate .

She, too, has a family: a husband, children, grandchildren, and I’m sure they are having trouble comprehending (if indeed it can be done) so great and sudden loss. She too, is of Christian faith, so no worries for her after-life; but oh, those left behind, who will now have to find a way to live without her. God help them and sustain them. God help us all.

What can I say to you Susan? I don’t know,words fail me. Perhaps, only as I said before: Susan, Susan, Susan!

Making a Mess

Two years ago yesterday on July 31st, I began this blog. The day before, on Sunday, I spilled a full cup of coffee when I attempted to set down the cup on a side table while watching that couple dance their way down the aisle to be married. Not paying enough attention to what I was doing, I set the cup too close to the edge, it bobbled, I lost control of the cup, and the “whole cup of coffee” spilled onto the floor.

Two years later, plus one day, I did the same thing again this morning, though for a different reason. This time I lost the cup as well as the coffee, so every drop went on the floor. Not a great start to the day.

When we were raising our family, I had a motto about making a mess: When you make a mess, there’s just one thing to do about it, and that is clean it up. I’m talking about the accidental, unintentional things that will occur in a home and in a family. I see no reason to get excited about something that wasn’t done as a result of mischief. In that case it would be the mischief that needed attention. Goodness knows, I got scolded and punished plenty of times for the sometimes broken dish, as a result of my clumsiness in the kitchen. I was the family klutz it seems. Yes, I know the reason.

I did have a word or two for myself this morning, due to my not paying attention to what I was doing. Not having the luxury of maid service, I had to take my own advice and clean up the mess. When the carpet dries, I will see whether or not I have to go over it again, and I strongly suspect that I will have to do just that.

Since the ‘spill’ episode, the day has gone by much as usual, doing this and that small task. Among other things, I finished the edge of a crocheted scar and have begun a small baby cap, which is about 2/3 finished.

When I go out again, and pick up new batteries and a charger for my camera, perhaps I’ll post some pictures.

Hope you haven’t had any messes to clean up today; but, if so, I hope they’re all small.

P.S. Being right is good, except when it isn't. More spot cleaning [a realllly big spot] coming up.