03 July 2013

The Procession

Birth. Life. Death.
And if it proceeds as it should, that "life" part should be reasonably long.
It also helps, when the "death" part happens, if the life part also makes living better for others.

Obviously, it doesn't always unfold the way we hope. Some of the saddest days of my career were those when I'd carry a very sick or injured youngster in the helicopter, then observe parents as they watch life slowly slip away from their child.
We naturally grieve when we lose loved ones, but if those departed family members or friends have "run a good race" and frequently put smiles on the faces of others, that grieving is mostly for ourselves, knowing we'll not have the pleasure of their company any more.
When a young person dies we not only lose that personal contact, we lose the promise of what might have been.

I'm headed back to Indianapolis this weekend to reunite my Mother with my Dad.
I'm grieving because I'm selfish and will miss our conversations, the ability to say "Hey Mom, what was that guy's name?"; the LOVE.
But I'm comforted by the fact that Mom's life-parade proceeded as it should have...indeed, lasted longer than anyone could have expected.

Butterfly kisses Mom...
You put smiles on lots of faces.
You ran a great race.

11 comments:

Scotty said...

I'm truly sorry for your loss, brother! I know the pain of losing one's parent as both mine are gone too.

CnC said...

Just wanted to tell you aging GB how sorry I am for your loss.

Old NFO said...

I know what you mean, I've lost both parents. And I DO miss them...

Ed Bonderenka said...

Sorry GB.
Sounds like she WON the race.

Rita said...

Hardest thing I ever had to live through was losing my father 21 years ago.

Prayers are with you my friend.

Joe said...

I am sorry for your loss.

The Old Man said...

God bless both of you, amigo. Rest well in the hollow of his hand.

OlePrairiedog said...

God is good, we all were blessed. Sure will miss the IM chats. Keep the faith, my brother from another Mother.

Bloviating Zeppelin said...

I lost my mother in 2002 and my father in 2009. I know precisely where you are now.

Blessings.

BZ

cary said...

Our condolences, Greybeard. Mom went home in February of 2010, Dad had gone ahead in 1993.

Parents are especially missed, if they were the biggest part of your growing up, as they should have been.

Lucky said...

I'm sorry for your loss!