mlerules

The last few days've been hard. A Dear Friend passed away on Saturday afternoon. I'd stopped by to say g'bye a couple hours before. The end was nigh, but apparently even closer then we'd thought. I sat in the living room, next to Michael in his hospital bed, and told him much I'd appreciated how he & his wife, Gina, had made me feel so welcome when I moved to Portland back in March 2007, &c. He wasn't really conscious, but perhaps he heard me. (The phrase "death rattle" is real.)

Ended up sticking around (masked and keeping distanced as much as possible) to sous chef for another friend who'd shown up to make dinner after saying his g'byes. Just past 3pm, I walked back into the living room just when G said aloud "he's taken his last breath" and watched her close his eyes. Some folks who showed up to say g'bye didn't get the chance. An impromptu wake happened outside w/those who were around. Folks said nice things about M and we all toasted his passing.

Yesterday I drove G to River View Cemetary to meet w/the funeral director. So surreal, especially these days. I'll return on Thursday for dinner and to keep her company and to see how else I can help this transition. They recently had their 30th wedding anniversary (2nd marriages for both).