Counting Blessings.....
A late night tonight, early morning really, after a day of making final arrangements for my Dad. A pleasure doing these last things for him. A night of talking to sister, brother and old friends who are coming to pay their respects. Two of my best friends, in fact, coming to Midland once again were just here two weeks ago from Houston upon the death of one of their parents, one of my "other" mothers.
Even in the worst of times there are blessings to be counted and even some humor. Wednesday I fielded three calls from people wanting to know if I had died. They had seen the death notice for my Dad, our names being basically the same, and had been worried that it was me. I laughed and told them I thought it took some degree of courage to dial my number....and then say what? "Hi, are you alive"? I told them no it was my Dad who had gone but a piece of me has died with him, so thanks for the call.
My blessings are beyond measure in one of life's most important commodities, friends. My Mom and I have been inundated with calls, flowers, food and just plain ordinary caring. My AA friends understand, perhaps more than many, the pain of the situation and the healing process to follow and have been of great comfort. Some of the older members who knew my Dad have called or stopped by to tell me stories of how much they respected him or what it was like to work with him on School Board or County Government issues and what a fair, sensible and even handed approach he took to the most difficult issues. My Dad was the School Board President when the Supreme Court ordered the Midland Schools to desegragate, possibly the single most important and divisive event in MISD history. Many told of how he held things together through those tough times.
And once again, as with the death of the Big Gold Dog, through the Internet I have received emails and the important comments on this blog from caring people, some of whom I do not know personally but who wish to share their humanity with me.
And to cap the evening off, I had special visitors. How wonderful it was to have another Big Gold Dog in the house most of the evening. A Gold Dog who Tres knew well. What an emotional time to see this beautiful dog once again, and think of my buddy who left not very long ago. Thanks again one and all.....
A late night tonight, early morning really, after a day of making final arrangements for my Dad. A pleasure doing these last things for him. A night of talking to sister, brother and old friends who are coming to pay their respects. Two of my best friends, in fact, coming to Midland once again were just here two weeks ago from Houston upon the death of one of their parents, one of my "other" mothers.
Even in the worst of times there are blessings to be counted and even some humor. Wednesday I fielded three calls from people wanting to know if I had died. They had seen the death notice for my Dad, our names being basically the same, and had been worried that it was me. I laughed and told them I thought it took some degree of courage to dial my number....and then say what? "Hi, are you alive"? I told them no it was my Dad who had gone but a piece of me has died with him, so thanks for the call.
My blessings are beyond measure in one of life's most important commodities, friends. My Mom and I have been inundated with calls, flowers, food and just plain ordinary caring. My AA friends understand, perhaps more than many, the pain of the situation and the healing process to follow and have been of great comfort. Some of the older members who knew my Dad have called or stopped by to tell me stories of how much they respected him or what it was like to work with him on School Board or County Government issues and what a fair, sensible and even handed approach he took to the most difficult issues. My Dad was the School Board President when the Supreme Court ordered the Midland Schools to desegragate, possibly the single most important and divisive event in MISD history. Many told of how he held things together through those tough times.
And once again, as with the death of the Big Gold Dog, through the Internet I have received emails and the important comments on this blog from caring people, some of whom I do not know personally but who wish to share their humanity with me.
And to cap the evening off, I had special visitors. How wonderful it was to have another Big Gold Dog in the house most of the evening. A Gold Dog who Tres knew well. What an emotional time to see this beautiful dog once again, and think of my buddy who left not very long ago. Thanks again one and all.....
