Some of mama’s brother’s handiwork–toy lead soldiers in tableaux, hand made, hand painted, unlike any others.
Mama says that even if you say goodbye to someone who dies, in any language—au revoir, ciao, arrivederci, adios, adieu, adeus, auf Wiedersehen, bon voyage, sayonara, aloha, totsiens, shalom, zàijiàn, vale—that that person is still with you in ways you don’t even realize and that the sweet memories and even the not so sweet memories will surface when you least expect them and perhaps, too, when you most need them.
That’s what mama says.
So today is mama’s brother’s memorial service in Texas and many of his friends from the army and from West Point and from wherever they live and his kids and their kids are now going to the service to think about him and say goodbye in many languages.
Mama’s brother was the lone piper at a golf club in Monterey, California, and piped at the end of the day to bring a bit of Scotland to the game.
Mama’s brother did so many things that there is not enough room here to put them all in.
And mama is here with her grief and thoughts and feelings in her heart about her brother and it will be some time before it all becomes memory. Grief is a curious and unique emotion. It comes and goes at will and you don’t really have control over it but when it is over, it tells you, “I’m over now, and we have been through a very human experience together.”
And then grief says goodbye, too.
You know Lou Lou, Your mama is so right – may I share something that happened to me – we had sold our home in Malibu to buy this one in Maui. Meanwhile we rented a home about four blocks away high on a hill.
That’s when we discovered my cancer .. so after having had a full hysterectomy trying to keep from taking any pain killers.
Incidentally we had no pets because there used to be problems with bringing animals to Hawaii. And we did not ish to put them through that ordeal.
The first day that my husband felt he could leave to to do some grocery I was now sitting in my bed upstairs, knees straddled over a big wedge pillow to try and keep any pressure off the new smiley face carved into my lower torso.
I guess I must have been silently weeping – suddenly, there was this orange head peering around the corner at me – I slapped the side pf me bed where my husband sleeps with out saying a word – the face disappeared behind the foot of the bed – and reappeared with full bod on the bed.
She walked over, looked, hopped over my straddled left knee landing neatly on the wedge pillow. From there she settled down, gazing at me, head just within my right hands reach – and there she stayed until she heard my husband drive in.
Had never seen her before or since .. you, LouLou, know the wonderful senses bestowed on pussycat’s – you alway know when your needed – and you always give freely of your self at that time ..
Much love to Mama, see you real soon , Hugs Ros
Well, that is so amazing and so touching and I wish that kitty would have stayed around, or maybe there is another just waiting to come give comfort to you. Thank you for a lovely story.
Purrs for your mama…
Thank you, Island Cats, you are so kind. We are all moving on and will have the memories forever.
I am very sorry for the loss of your Mama’s brother.
Well, thank you. She is, too, but it was all so much better than the trouble he was in. Life goes on…
Your mom is right. Grief is individual and unpredictable. A warm hug for your mom. Cuddle her well.
Well, I did that all night. And I know that there was grief in your family when the kitty died. But I’ll bet she visits from time to time…Nine lives, you know.
Sending your Mum a gentle hug, love & purrs Loulou. You stay close to her, purr motor at the ready.
Luff Mungo, Jet & The Ape xx
Well, I’m doing that. And all is well, thank you.