Journal entry by Al Negstad — a minute ago
There's an unreality about death at a distance. While there is no part of me denying that Allan is dead, it's full emotional impact escapes me. Helpful conversations with his family bring the reality a bit closer. I am very grateful that I will be able be present for his funeral service (7/20 in Milwaukee) which I will need to fully appreciate what we have lost.
His sudden and unexpected death reminds of the gift of Joanne's 'good' death. Allan, like Joanne, was an extrovert who had many friends. He was robbed of the opportunity to say goodbye to them, and to his family, and they to him. Joanne, on the other hand, had twenty three days of hospice. Until the last couple of days she was able to appreciate the out-pouring of affirmation via Caring Bridge, email, cards and letters, visits and phone calls. She died with her family present assuring her of their love. Not so Allan, who died suddenly and alone in his car.
Grief certainly touches grief, as even the sight of a man attending a grave in a cemetery by the road, and much more when a loved one dies. Yes, I (we) live in the land of grief and in the presence of absence.
Takk for alt,
Al
"Recommended Reading: Blindness, Jose` Saramago, a Portuguese author; this book was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1998. Not for the faint of heart nor queasy of stomach, it's a great commentary on our current occupant/administration. It is both gripping and compelling." from my post on Facebook.
His sudden and unexpected death reminds of the gift of Joanne's 'good' death. Allan, like Joanne, was an extrovert who had many friends. He was robbed of the opportunity to say goodbye to them, and to his family, and they to him. Joanne, on the other hand, had twenty three days of hospice. Until the last couple of days she was able to appreciate the out-pouring of affirmation via Caring Bridge, email, cards and letters, visits and phone calls. She died with her family present assuring her of their love. Not so Allan, who died suddenly and alone in his car.
Grief certainly touches grief, as even the sight of a man attending a grave in a cemetery by the road, and much more when a loved one dies. Yes, I (we) live in the land of grief and in the presence of absence.
Takk for alt,
Al
"Recommended Reading: Blindness, Jose` Saramago, a Portuguese author; this book was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1998. Not for the faint of heart nor queasy of stomach, it's a great commentary on our current occupant/administration. It is both gripping and compelling." from my post on Facebook.
