“There is a sacredness in tears. They are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition and of unspeakable love.” ~Washington Irving
Yesterday my brother-in-law died. He went out skating and never came home. He collapsed, was taken to the hospital and they could not bring him back. He was 78 years young. He had some heart problems, but was making progress. Making a comeback. And then gone.
We are all in shock. We are all trying to make sense of moving forward. And while his death has affected so many family and friends, my sister is devastated. I cannot fathom her pain. Her loss. But I do sense it deeply, and I can do very little to take it away. And I would if I could. Believe me.
I can advise her. Listen. And try to be strength when she has little left. Dennis was a light in this darkening world. His infectious eye rolling sarcasm, dry humor with the most dumb jokes will be sorely missed. He had a loud honking laugh that just made you laugh too.
He was a gifted artist with hammers, saw, paint brush and auto tools. He loved to fix, create and build. He has been roller blading and biking for decades. Nothing kept him down for long. I don’t feel him on this earthly plain anymore. But his love will keep moving within us, as we remember him always.
Right now I feel inspired to move forward in my life to do those things I have been putting off. To live my best life as the days and hours are dwindling. I will be 70 in 7 months, and who knows how much time I have left here. But I don’t want to waste any of it. It seems after so much loss this summer and now with Dennis, I feel this stronger than ever.
I am dedicating this little pink rose vase to Dennis and my sister, Karen. It signifies gentleness and an offering of sympathy. It feels so little with such a great loss. This is just the beginning of our non-stop journey with grief that is starting again. We are back on the path that seems to be a spiral throwing us around. Up, down, on, off, laughter and endless, ageless tears.
With this vase, I am linking in with the wonderful meme, In A Vase On Monday, from Cathy at Rambling in the Garden.
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