February 2025 Sadly my last blog post was a real bummer and this one will be too. I told you guys about my uncle who was given only 6 months to a year in December. We lost him on February 2nd. It happened so incredibly fast that it still feels very unreal. It was devastating to my family and hundreds in the community that he taught in. We were all there on the Sunday we lost him so we could all say our goodbyes before returning to our homes and receiving the call no one ever wants to get.
I was online with my dad and two nephews when I had to put my headset down to get the call. When I returned to them I heard my brother in the background telling my dad (in person) the news.
I can’t imagine what my dad is feeling right now along with his other two siblings.
I can’t imagine losing my brother. My dad is the baby of his family as am I.
My uncle was 75 years old and I know a lot of folks out there never got to make it to that age… it isn’t “young” I guess. His own father didn’t make it near that long.
It was the swiftness of how it all happened that crushed us. I can’t imagine going in for a bad cough (which many of us also had over Thanksgiving) and then being completely debilitated and gone in two months.
That’s just terrifying.
Such sickness that could hide so completely from him for so long.
But maybe he wasn’t totally in the dark about all of it. We all just saw him as so healthy and strong regardless that he too was aging along with the rest of us.
I mentioned in my last post that I thought perhaps he had a feeling about it as he called me back in August to get his book designed and published as soon as we could.
We worked on it diligently and it was definitely the fastest book design and publish I’ve ever managed in just a few weeks. Maybe I had a premonition too as I felt true urgency to complete it not just as well but as quickly as I could.
I am so grateful for those hours I had with him getting it done.
It was a fifteen year old work in progress for him and I do believe he was thrilled with the final result.
As a writer there really isn’t any words to describe actually seeing and holding your very own book.
February 2025 is the month we lost him and is the month I am turning 39. Years ago I thought (on a whim of course) I might just have to go and bungee jump off the bridge to nowhere in California for my 40th birthday.
From Wikipedia, “The East Fork Road was still under construction when it was washed out during the great flood of March 1–2, 1938… It was abandoned as a result of the floods, leaving the bridge forever stranded in the middle of what is now the Sheep Mountain Wilderness. The bridge now is only accessible via a 10-mile round-trip hike…”
The hike now would be my biggest reason to not get it done lol. I am definitely not in the same kind of shape I was years ago when I considered ever doing it!
Of course everyone I ever told about it thought I was nuts but putting my arms out and taking a leap like that sounds really wonderful right now.
I am very sad.
My prayers are with you and your those you love. I have said extra prayers for your Uncle. May peace surround you and through you.
Thank you Carol <3
I am so sorry for your loss. It is never easy. I lost my sister, suddenly, it will be 2 years ago in March. She was only 61 years old. She was overweight and had rheumatoid arthritis. Her husband had MS and ended up in the nursing home during that same time. He passed away within a month of my dad passing away last June. My dad was 91 and had been in hospice for just a couple of days before transferring him from his assisted living apartment to the nursing home, thankfully connected by a long corridor. He and my BIL were very close. Not just as in laws but also as friends. Last year was a rough year as we also lost my dad’s cousin, who I thought the world of. She was in the same assisted living facility as dad, so saw her more often than I would have otherwise. She always had a smile for you, no matter that she was in a wheelchair and barely was able to lift her head up to talk to you. Life is so challenging sometimes. I take comfort in knowing they are all together again and hopefully our cat, Rylee is also with them. Take care. Ranee
Renee, thank you for sharing with me <3
Tarah, I’m very sorry to hear of your uncle’s passing.I hope you and your family can find some comfort in memories of him.
Thank you Jeannie
So very sorry. {{{{{{Hugs}}}}}}
*hugs* thank you <3
Hi, Terra. I am sad to hear of your Uncle’s passing. I checked out his book; it looks interesting. Since he was an artist, I was wondering if he did the cover art as well as authoring his book. It is lovely.
Take care.
Jeanne
Hi Jeanne, yep the front cover of his book was painting he did and the book is full of other paintings he did besides. Thank you <3
Tarah,
So sorry to hear about your lost as no one wants to see our love ones die. But I am reminded that it’s the circle of life that we must all go though. I still miss my brother who went so fast that I didn’t even have a chance to say goodbye to him. I miss him everyday but I know that he is in a much better place with pain and suffering.
I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
Marian
Thank you Marian <3
I’m so sorry to hear about your family’s loss, Tara. Something so fast like that is especially hard to process and come to terms with. We always want more time. It’s wonderful that you helped to make your uncle’s book a reality. I bet that was a wonderful wish come true for him.
Thank you Jayna <3
Taralynn, my thoughts are with you and your family. Losing a loved one is never easy. When my father passed away, I just couldn’t believe it; everything seemed to stop.
<3 <3 <3
Oh Tara, I’m so sorry your family has to go through this. It is easy to know that it is part of life until we have to go through it personally and feel all of the tender feelings of loss. It is difficult to lose someone so quickly and unexpectedly. I can tell that you are a comfort to your dad and family. My heart felt prayers and wishes go out to you and your entire family.
Thank you Helen so very much <3 <3 <3
Tarahlynn, I’m so sorry for your loss. I just went to the link to his book and read the sample. What an excellent writer he was! If it was in the budget just now, I’d order the book today. May your wonderful memories of him be a comfort to you all.
Thank you Jean!