Noelle here:
The last week has been so difficult and also so inspiring. My dad passed from this life to the next. He’s off to dance with my mom again. To sit beside his savior. He’s at peace from the struggle of Parkinson’s and can rest.
Two of my sisters, Steve, a brother-in-law, lots of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, beloved granddogs and I were able to join him for the final portion of his journey. My youngest sister journeyed with Dad and Mom through the longest parts of their illnesses, but I feel blessed to have shared the last leg of both their passings.
This picture of Dad kind of sums him up. He loved dogs and children and laughing. He was an ornery old cuss, don’t get me wrong, 🤣 but boy did he teach me to laugh.
It was a hard week. We laughed. We loved. We joked. We cried. I fought with my sisters. We made up. We cussed. We prayed. And we sang. We sang of grace and peace and joy-fullness. We drank a lot. A lot, a lot. And we rejoiced with Dad as he started his new adventure.
Yesterday, Steve and I embarked on the next portion of our own adventure. After many postponements and a little uncertainty if this was indeed the time to leave, we finally boarded that plane and traveled to Thailand.
I’m exhausted and excited and grieving and exhilarated. All at the same time. We fell asleep early this morning to the sound of screeching cats. And woke up later this morning in the city of Bangkok, hungry and ready to explore.
So sorry for the loss of your father. Grief times are tough times. Carry the good memories with you where you go next.
I found it really interesting in reading David Sedaris. He was a smoker all his life, his mother was a smoker and promoted smoking to him even as she was dying of lung cancer. Anyhow, he finally came to the resolve to quit smoking and he had a unique approach to the task. He traveled to Japan for a few months and by being in a different environment with a focus of adapting to this culture, it made quitting so much easier for him. He was able to not hyper focus on quitting and by getting out of his routing have time to ruminate on the cause. Well it worked and he of course wrote about it.
I say all this because I think that you are taking a unique approach to grieving – last year Bucky, and this year your father and it may seem on the surface that you are running away from the grief. I rather think that this approach makes a lot of sense for the same reason that it made sense for David Sedaris to quit smoking by traveling to Japan. Grief is unique and personal and time doesn’t necessarily heal, but time with yourself does wonders at finding acceptance of the loss and finding your new self because loss changes you.
Thank you Heidi. Your comments have encouraged me to really look at some items that I simply have not had the time to dissect until now. Hiking and meditative hiking was hugely beneficial for me. So too have been the first few weeks in Thailand. Life’s quite a journey, isn’t it? Thank you.
Thanks for continuing to share your adventures!
Absolutely, and thanks to you for continuing to follow along. We’re excited for the year ahead.
Our deepest condolences on the death of your Mom, Noelle. It’s wonderful that you were with her during her last steps in this life. May she rest in peace. Now you are taking new steps on land as she takes new steps in heaven. You are both on a new journey, that couldn’t be more different.
They are very different adventures, aren’t they Liz? Thanks for your note and for your ever-present kindness. We’re thinking of you guys on your own adventure and we know you are in the right place at the right time. The two of you are so very special. Hugs, my friend.
Our deepest sympathy for your loss, Noelle ♡
So glad you were able to spend precious time at his end. God bless, safe travels!
With much love, Bob and Laurie
Thank you, Laurie and Bob. We’re sure glad for the past few months with my Dad and with Steve’s parents. It’s definitely been a blessing. Love you both!
WOW – just wow. Sorry for your loss, prayers for you and your family. And prayers for safety for your new journey. – WOW <3
Thank you ☺️
You both are brave and focused on your dreams. It will be a beautiful journey and all of us will benefit from reading your journals. We will lift you and your family up in prayer. Be safe. Clive & Marilyn
Thank you Clive and Marilyn. We’re glad to hear from you!