“When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.”
– Kahlil Gibran
It was Dad’s funeral today. It was the chance to say goodbye.
Only…
I’d already said goodbye. I’d sat by him for hours the day he died. Felt him go cold. Knew he’d gone.
I’d gathered my memories and shared my stories of him. Been touched by the responses of so many.
Today was about letting others say goodbye and to share more of who he was. To put together the jigsaw of experiences, of his contact with others into a coherent and impressive narrative. Even those who thought they knew all he’d done, learned something new today.
It’s been unseasonably fine and mild this week. Until today. Today it turned bitterly cold, the wind blew in gales and the rain came down in buckets. Weather gods love a cliché.
I am an introvert and a shy person by nature. I’ve learned, with age, to hide it. But social gatherings are still stressful at the best of times. Today loomed like the Cliffs of Moher.
But I did my best. I listened compassionately to others’ memories of him, accepted gratefully the sympathy and love. It was meaningful.
And now it is done. In my immediate future is some time to myself and, hopefully, sleep. And tomorrow I will have to get on with learning to live without my Dad.
“She was no longer wrestling with the grief, but could sit down with it as a lasting companion and make it a sharer in her thoughts.”
– George Eliot
Master of Something I'm Yet To Discover 
Beautiful.
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🙂
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And you will do it with courage and compassion for the others who are similarly bereft of him, H. This I know. “When we lose someone we love, he is no longer where he was before: he is now wherever we are.”
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It’s a beautiful quote, M-R, and perfectly stated. 🙂
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Sending another wave of hugs to you. May the memories of your dad always soften your heart and make you smile with joy.
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Thanks, M-J. ❤
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Prayers and thoughts sent your way. I am truly so sorry for your loss, but glad you were one blessed with such a great dad.
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Thanks, Sasha. I am aware of how lucky we were to have him.
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Wishing you your memories of your Dad with joy in peace.
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Thanks, bluebee. “with joy in peace” – I like that.
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To be missed like this… means he did it right. I’m sad for your loss.
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I won’t pretend he was perfect (none of us are) but, yes, I think he did it right. Thanks, Steve.
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M-R said it so beautifully. I hope that the warm memories you have of your dad will give you comfort over the months aheads.
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You are only living without his immediate presence…he’s still with you and in you and all whose lives he touched. You carry on for him and with him and he carries on through you. You will find little treasures along the road you still walk that will bring him back to you in quick flashes, touches, and shared moments. It’s a different level now…..you’re not just playing in this dimension anymore, but you and your dad are still bound up tight!
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Oh, that’s so beautiful. Thank you.
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