Yesterday, after finding out about a joyous birth, I heard that our dear friend died two days before. It was expected, as he had lung cancer and had lived beyond what anyone hoped, but still, a bright light has gone out in our lives. And he had so many plans, wanted to live and travel and enjoy his house in the woods. He fiercely loved life. He had a passionate, close relationship with his wife, and after so many years, from youth on, they remained in love, not just loving. It was a blessing to see them together. She tended him with the utmost care and kindness, and he was able to die at home, surrounded by his woods, his dog, his family, his memories.
And I knew this coming, but am never prepared. I felt like the wind had been knocked out of me. The impulse is to help, but really, right now, his widow is just processing her feelings, surrounded by family, trying to plan a memorial in a month or so. There are only prayers and blessings and wishing ease and as little detail planning as possible, so she can feel what she feels. They were such a couple, and now, she will go on, but it's a new, unfamiliar path, and it will be hard.
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