Photo: david.nikonvscanon
At last, my father is at peace, as are we, members of his family who watched him struggle with the brutal onslaught of Parkinson's. He died Tuesday night, March 1, one-and-a-half weeks after his 88th birthday. The post that featured the above photo is here. I've featured it again because it symbolizes specifically how the bereavement-stressed mind does nutty things. This morning, I opened my "dumb phone"–an archaic flip variety–to look up a number I had phoned yesterday. Though my mind was numb, my fingers were nimble and pressed the "contact list on my cell phone and landed on Daddy's "home" number. I realized what I'd done and told Husband 2.0. He made a sympathetic face. And, then, even after I realized what I'd done, my nimble finger pulled another fast one and pressed "Send," activating the cellular signal to place the call.
My laptop is about to die as, in my nutty bereavement state, I left my charger in a coffee shop in my homestate. It's being held there until my return. To make that quick return back to South Carolina for the funeral, the to-do list is demanding my attention, not allowing me time to examine here and now the irony, metaphor….of calling "home…." My intentions are to be back on at least an abbreviated schedule here next week.
Here are the posts chronicling the last two years since my mother's death: here, here, here, here, here and here.
Your analyses of my obvious Freudian slip are welcome–especially the non-religious genre.
I’m sad to hear about your loss. My prayers are with you.
I suppose there is a part of all of us that will never let go of “home”, no matter how grown-up we are.
No slip at all. You are never too old to need your parent. Your mind races. Your thoughts cloud. Let 2.0 do what he can – repeat the words you told me in the hallway at Blissdom. I’m sorry is not enough to say – so I won’t say it. If I was there’s I’d just sit and listen. God bless.
Thank you for your comforting condolences & words of insight, Penny & Craig. Good to hear from you.
The Obit. I’ve written two now. One for each of my parents. Rather bizarre, especially since both were written as they lay dying but still “living.”: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/greenvilleonline/obituary.aspx?n=eugene-e-hammett&pid=149053797
Thinking of you, Leisa. Good writing like yours is a meaningful memorial.
Very sorry to hear of your loss. Sincere condolences to you and your family.
Hey Leisa, Thinking of you and sending you love. My Mom died almost two years ago and I still catch myself thinking that I’ll call her up and tell her about something that happened. Hope all goes well in your trip to the funeral.
Charlotte, you’ve been wonderful to me during this time. Getting back to the rewrites tomorrow. :-)Thank you Allison & Casdok.