Another Passing...

[DDT (12)]

A tough way to begin the new day… reading about the loss, and obviously accompanying heartache, of one of our dear friend’s partner in life… That is such a profound tragedy and so hard to handle when it happens to us all in time… We know this is coming; we even expect this; still, when it does hit, it hits hard and nearly stops us dead in our tracks. No way to properly prepare and ease that transition in life that accompanies such events, and no way to ease the grief and empty feeling that comes with it all… It can only be endured. God speed, Mac…

We all entertain questions from time to time about the meaning of life and its purpose. We try to comprehend the ‘what’ and ‘why’ of it all, and then we move on to the seeming vagaries and randomness of its duration and ‘quality’. Why are we here? Why was one person taken so soon, while others hang around for relatively long periods? Why do some seem to suffer throughout their tenure, while others have a pretty easy go of it all…? Why do some seem so fulfilled with their lives, while others appear to find only failure and nothingness? Can we make any of this worthwhile ourselves, or are we simply programmed, and destined to our fate, from the beginning? I don’t know, either…

I do think of such things, though, and I’m locked onto these mysteries with increased intensity, and urgency, whenever I’m reminded of my own mortality and the certainty of my own passing at some unknown future point. I also ponder the inevitability of the passing of loved ones in my life, and that a time will come when I’ll stand at a gravesite once again, and I'll think of the regrets and oversights I’ve committed towards that person lying there, and I’ll again feel the pangs of disappointment in my own shortcomings.

Sure, I will also reflect upon the goods things and the good times, too, and I’ll do what we all do to somehow put a positive spin on it all in an attempt to ease the burden then being felt. In the end, however, time is the only tonic for such loss. As the pain loosens its grip on our hearts and fond memories slowly replace the sadness; and, as we adjust to the absence of a valued person in our lives, we finally come to acceptance of the new reality… and life goes on…

DDT

[The emperor has no clothes]

I haven't had the good fortune of meeting Mac. I can not imagine the pain he is going thru. I know I would be lost without Brenda. It's strange how we think of things during our stages of life. When I was young, I rarely thought of being old. But when I did, it was usually about how I wouldn't be able to do this or that. Now that I'm old, I rarely think of that. I think of how painful it is watching people pass on before us. Never realized this would be one of the hardest parts of getting old. You are very right Buce, life does go on. But I am very selfish. I hope I go before some that I am closest to.

Mac, my heartfelt sympathies to you and your family.

[old2soon]

My Brother and I were ponderin on this very subject after we lost a half sister then our baby sister then a B I L then the B I L of our baby sisters-all in about 14 15 months. After taking stock of the surviving older family members it hit us-a half Sister Ross and myself are All that is left from Mom and Dad and Moms first husband. Rob-been to some P G R missions for WWII Veterans and Most if Not ALL of their peers are gone already. Seems as when we put more miles/years/age on we do indeed start to consider our own frailties. Last time I checked None of us mere mortals gittin out of this existence alive. But as to Bruce's questions-when ya git it figured some Please let the rest of us know! Still tryin to sort out the WHY of my Baby Sister leavin first. Heard it said more than once about the departed-they no longer are in pain. Hope true dat. RIDE SAFE.

[DirtyDan]

I’m watching my family and myself age and decline

The wheelchair awaits

Enjoy ones time on this planet, before one BECOMES part of the planet.

Ride on

Dan