RIP

Jan. 31st, 2021 02:52 pm
mlerules: (sherman)
It's been quite a time these past few weeks. (Nada to do w/Covid.)

My fave aunt's long-term (decadeplus, most of it living together) BF passed away at long last on 15 January, after three (3) years of home hospice, where the last however many weeks (months?) were marked by increasingly worse dementia along w/a host of physical maladies. Apparently there's only so long one can last w/one single kidney functioning at 15%, not to mention far more/less. Honestly, more of a blessing for all concerned, including him, even though still sad as heck.

On 17 January, my step-sis's mom-in-law, who I've known for decades from numerous fambily thingies including several years of multi-day Yosemite reunions along w/big bdays and general visits, passed away. Alzheimer's had taken its toll over the past few years, so again, far better not to have her lingering any longer, even as sadness (and logistical difficulties) continue.

This morning, my Mom's older brother, my uncle who lived nearby, one of the local fambily who made moving to the PacNW far easier than otherwise for me, passed away at the ripe old age of 94. Considering he was considered "sickly" as a child, unlikely to live to adulthood, he did pretty well. Most likely congenital heart failure. Charming and graceful to the end, apparently. No lingering, nothing huge, just passed on. Luckily since he's here in OR instead of CA like the others, it shouldn't be nearly as difficult to have the body removed and taken care of as desired.

So, I'm once again digging through my stationery for appropriate condolences cards. At least for the first two, I'd already begun making a photo album, since I figured it'd happen eventually. Must needs now do the same for Uncle Hugh.

Lots of memories, appreciation, and tears. So, once again reminding those who read this to hold yours near and dear close, and for those dear yet further afield (or nearby but non-huggable due to Covid), to express your feelings. Let 'em know you care, however you can. We only have so much time here. Make the most of it while you can.

RIP - Dad

Sep. 2nd, 2018 01:04 am
mlerules: (die roll)
So, Dad died on 08/20/18. 'Twas unexpected. He'd been out of it a lot of late, but physically in pretty darned good shape (leaving aside serious frailty). Heart finally gave out, or something. Not clear, but it doesn't much matter.

Much sadness, but also a palpable sense of relief. He'd been pretty out of it mentally for quite a while, and getting around was getting harder and harder. (Time before last he'd not been able to stand to come out for lunch and instead we hung out in his room while he lay in bed.) A few years ago he'd worried that he didn't have any cash yet needed to get a taxi out of Damascas, and that's but a small part of matters. Still...

The hardest part is realizing he's no longer there. Even though he'd not been fully here for a while, he was always THERE, if that makes any sense. And now he's...not. He's just...gone.

Words really don't cut it. Emotions're pretty raw. I've been doing practical things, like pulling together photos, which helps a bit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/8146112@N06/albums/72157698815250151

And I've been sharing stories w/Mom and my step-mom, &c. Learning some things I didn't know; pretty fascinating. Looking forward to his memorial in the Bay Area on Sunday, 10/07/18, where more stories will be shared. It'll be a small affair at my step-mom's house, where he'd not lived for the past few years.

They'd been together for 30 years. My last in-person memory of him is from their 21st Wedding Anniversary which I joined them for this past June 26th (3rd year in a row we celebrated at Chez Panisse, where she'd proposed to him lo these many years ago). Pics in this set: https://www.flickr.com/photos/8146112@N06/albums/72157695465294062

Dinner together was delightful, the best I've seen him and them in years: laughing, smiling, sharing stories, spending good moments together, gently touching and enjoying each others' company. I went to the bathroom for a while once we'd taken Dad back to his room in the dementia ward at the assisted living place to give them some time together...it was really sweet and nice...and the last time I saw him alive. It's hard, oh so hard. Even as 'twas time for him to go...

So, those you love and/or appreciate - tell them, hug them, appreciate them. It may not last. You may not get another chance.
mlerules: (kitty lamp)
He was a Dear Friend. He went peacefully this morning at 5:45am. His breathing slowed down like a wind-up toy over the course of 5 minutes...until it stopped.
mlerules: (kitty lamp)
Well, much of today was quite nice. Took a friend out for her first ecstatic dance event and her first visit to Lan Su Chinese Garden. 'Twas way too crowded at the Teahouse in the Tower of Cosmis Reflection (not surprisingly, as Chinese New Year celebrations were in full swing), so we ended up having lunch at Tao of Tea in SE Portland instead. Then I scored an invite to other friends' for dinner, which was quite nice.

Incredibly sadly though, I also learned that my old kittenhead Berwyn, recently turned 19 (on Groundhog's Day), passed away (kidney failure). My ex-hubby was with him at the end. I miss him and am glad I made a point of visiting on most of my recent SoCal visits, several times spending the night w/him (and ex-hubby & wife #2).

Here're A Few Photos of the Dear Sweet Berwyn, May He Rest In Peace.
mlerules: (kitty lamp)
Woke up this morning to sad VM msg & e-mail from a couple of my Dearest Friends, one of whom just lost her father, t'other, her uncle (same person). Have spent chunk o' time on phone since. Luckily I've been stocking up on condolences cards. Shaken > Stirred. Saddened. First met L in approx 1979. He missed Tday this year b'c he was unwell. Now I won't ever see him again...

Trying to figure out how to get into listening-to-on-line-torts-lecture mood/mode. Prolly gonna be one of those Just Do It things b'c I don't have spare time now.

More RIP

Jun. 14th, 2012 11:35 pm
mlerules: (kitty lamp)
More w/the distant "fambily" dying. This time = step(ish)-sister's mom-in-law. I haven't heard it "officially," but my step-nephew R. has posted the dates (b. - d.) w/a nice photo on FaceBook. I'd not seen her in years, but have fond memories of her from past fambily get-togethers (likely most recently R's bar mitzvah).

This after spending a peaceful chunk o' this afternoon at an old Pioneer Cemetery somewhere on the back-roads 'tween Wilsonville & Portland. Photo Here )
Ayup: living it NOW rather than waiting is SO the name of the game.
mlerules: (bunny clock)
Child's Gender Finally Revealed

On Abraham Maslow

On RadioLab

Etta James, RIP. And more here. I was lucky enough to see 'n' hear her sing at the Hollywood Bowl several years ago. 'Twas a marvelous show.

Johnny Otis, RIP. What's w/the musical legends dying off right now?! :-(

EDIT: Thx goes to [livejournal.com profile] darthsunshine for this one: Dancing Makes You Smarter! Well, then...more more more, I say!
mlerules: (kitty lamp)
OBIT

I shall watch Dark Star again soon.
mlerules: (kitty lamp)
Humor sometimes seems like the best/perhaps only way to get through. Just found out (wonders of FaceBook) that a former good friend from law school - we'd drifted apart over the past several years, not out of any enmity, but more of a shifting life-focus - just passed away after five (5) years w/cancer (originally skin, then went into her lungs last November). She's approx 10 years younger than me and left behind a husband and 5-year old son. At least this time around I'm prepared w/a sympathy card on-hand (who's the Virgo).

Really makes me stop, take stock, think, be extra thankful for my friends, my health, and theirs (by and large).
mlerules: (kitty lamp)
OBIT

Good grief!
mlerules: (kitty lamp)
OBIT & HERE & all over the freakin' place...

Okay, they tend to come in threes, so who's next?

EDIT: Yes, you're so right - MJ = #3, w/Ed McMahon being #1: OBIT

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