The Isolation Journals prompt for this week is to “write a goodbye you wish you’d said, or need to say.” Over 34 years ago my little brother was lying in hospital, dying from cancer. I was living and working overseas, with 3 young children and a 4th on its way. My husband knew how muchContinue reading “The Shape of Goodbye”
Tag Archives: family
Letter writing
Dad was a very organized person. He kept files in a filing cabinet in the laundry room. Each file was neatly labeled “insurance”, “appliances”, “house”, etc. He had files for interesting things from his life, and another for mom, and of course one for each of us. One of my goals on this recent tripContinue reading “Letter writing”
Back again
I am once again heading back to mom’s home. This time I am flying in order to avoid snowy mountain roads and potential blizzards. The cloud formations are mesmerizing, with the sun peaking through between various layers of cloud types. The …. Straight reflect the sun, and in the distance I can see snow noContinue reading “Back again”
Buried Boots
I signed up for a creative writing course. My choice of this course had little to do with the actual topic, but more to do with available time in my schedule and the fact that it was 100% online. We have had 3 sessions, with two remaining. The other students are so much more experiencedContinue reading “Buried Boots”
Mourning rituals
Today marks one year since my father passed away. It has been a tough year in many ways, but also a good growing experience. I started thinking about the mourning rituals I observed and participated in while living in Thailand. When my father-in-law passed away we held several days of evening services and meals forContinue reading “Mourning rituals”
Lurking
It was a simple question, but I was unable to answer. It took all my strength to compose myself and still there was no way I could bring myself to voice his name. I have worked to erase him from my memory for years. Thanksgiving weekend, 21 years ago we were able to escape andContinue reading “Lurking”
Breathing after Fiona
“All good!” was the message from my daughter early this morning. With tears starting to form after hearing this welcome news, I took a deep breath. It felt like it been hours since I had taken a deep breath. She and her fiancé have survived post-hurricane Fiona only a few weeks after moving to theContinue reading “Breathing after Fiona”
Dad’s roses
After years of working long hours 12 months each year, my father retired at a relatively young age. He was 55 when my brother was diagnosed with terminal cancer, and decided to retire in order to spend more time with my brother, and with mom. My mother struggled so much after losing her son toContinue reading “Dad’s roses”
Golden hour
The period of time before sunset is called “golden hour”. I didn’t know that until 5 minutes ago when I did a google search looking for the word to describe it. What did we do before internet? I remember the day when I was a pre-teen and the large set of World Book Encyclopedias arrivedContinue reading “Golden hour”
Water
What is it about active water that I find so fascinating? I could sit in front of a water fountain or waterfall for hours, listening and watching. The way water interacts with itself, constantly changing paths and streams; the sound of waves hitting the shore near the ocean. Not long ago I watch my youngContinue reading “Water”
Reflections 