Necessary Mutilation

Weight: 195.4 lbs.

We got home late yesterday from Chiles from celebrating Kevin’s departure as our boss. This was a poignant event, and he will be missed.

We came home to a message on the answering machine from Debbie that her mother had passed away yesterday. This was shocking and sad news, as although she had been ill, it wasn’t apparent that she was likely to succumb to her ailments.

This is the fourth loss of a mother for someone I know well, within the last 6 months or so.

Debbie is doing what is necessary in such a circumstance, but I am worried and sad for her. The wake is Monday and the service on Tuesday, and we will do our best to be there throughout. She asked that I pass the word to some of our mutual friends, and I spent the remainder of last evening calling others and sharing the news. There just seems to be too much of this kind of thing lately, and it is hard to tell if it is a factor of us being baby boomers with againg family members, or if we are just more aware of issues of mortality now. We have reached an age where at this time, most of us have lost at least one of our parents, and many of us have lost both. Somehow, it still feels wierd to say this, and the loss of a parent never ceases to be a significantly impactful event that is about more than just grief. I feel badly for Debbie that she has now joined the fray.

So today once more is somber, and despite the plans we have from early to late, I am not in a celebratory mood.

On the other hand, I do believe that the best that any of us can hope for in that we cannot prevent tragedy and loss from touching our lives, is to have support and caring when this does occur. And given this, I know that Tom and I do have this to offer, and that Debbie is surrounded by many siblings and others who will also be there for her in this time of need.

And this helps.