Many of us have been down this road. One day we all will, just not as publicly.
My father died, in the city of his birth, New York, at 3:50 EST this afternoon.
Though the financial constraints of his youth made college infeasible, he accomplished the near-impossible, becoming an architect licensed in 40 states. Much of his work was commercial, for a series of shoe store chains and department stores. There was a time in the 1970’s when nearly all of the Baskin-Robbins outlets in the country had been built to his design, and under his direction. Through much of my youth and my early adult life, it was almost impossible to be anywhere in this country and not be a short drive to one of “his” stores.
My Dad was predeceased last year by my mother, Marie, his wife of nearly 60 years. He died peacefully after a long fight against the complications that ensued after successful colon surgery last September at the New York Presbyterian-Weill Cornell Medical Center. My sister Jenna and I were at his side, and I was reading him his favorite James Thurber short stories, as he left us.
Blessed Be
May the Goddess guide him on his journey to the Summerlands. May Keith, his family , his friends and all of us find Peace.
Thursday night Mr. Olbermann shared his experiences about his father’s illness and made his plea about Living Wills
Do it. You do not want you last moments in this life left to the state. Make your wishes known. Please. You will make it so much easier for yourself, your family and Me. Love, TMC
The Wheel Turns
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My deepest condolences to the Olbermann Family. Thank you, Keith, for sharing this and making us aware of the need for Living Wills.
all of this very well, I think.
Both of my parents are no longer with us, and each event was like being tied to a tree and kicked in the abdomen by many strong men time and time again.
Let me just say simply this: you and your family are in my thoughts, and I grieve with you. Please understand that this is the natural order of things. We children are supposed to take care of our deceased elders, and not too many decades ago it was quite the opposite because of poor understanding of infectious disease.
I know that this does not make anything easier for you, but nothing but time can do so, along with support from physical friends and family, and even with your virtual family that happens to include me. I care, and I grieve for and with you. I do not know if you read my post about my brother and nephew almost being murdered last week. It is here. They are still not out of danger.
Warmest regards, and deepest sympathies, to you and your family, my friend.
Doc