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Collecting Loss

 Loss seems to be a bigger part of life as each year passes. Miss Pat is one of the most beautiful people I have had in my life. Tall, athletic, and socially active. A wealth of life experiences and keen intellect peppering her conversation. A warm, generous and caring friend to everyone she met. Even into her nineties she was driving herself where ever she wanted to go until just about this time last year.

Then a fall and slow physical recovery. Mobility lost. Subtle slips in memory. Her family in the north decided it was no longer an option for her to keep her home in Florida. They found her an assisted living place near to them. She fiercely resisted and then she adjusted quickly, making new friends and starting a new phase of an eventful life.

Her son brought her to Florida to say good-bye to her friends here. A dozen of us gathered in my home to wish her well and laugh and reminisce. And let our hearts break just a little bit and let tears push at the back of our eyes even as we kept brave faces.


Sunrise Bridge looking north


Comments

  1. MaebemeJanuary 29, 2023 at 9:38 AM

    My Dad always said, growing old ain't for sissies.It sounds like Miss Pat has made aging look easy.
    I think, or at least I hope so, that when we age there comes a point when we are ready to transition from this world. It is those who are left to mourn the impending and actual loss that hurt the most from the parting.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Linda ReederJanuary 29, 2023 at 10:45 AM

    It must be hard to witness the decline of someone as vital as Miss Pat, and then to have to be separated from her in her final time. We are in that time of our lives when losing friends and family is all too common.

    ReplyDelete
  3. RianJanuary 29, 2023 at 12:51 PM

    Olga, your Miss Pat reminded me of a dear friend I lost back in 2011. She was small and frail in body, but so strong in heart and spirit. We used to walk together every week and then have tea either in the park or at my house. She was only 86 when she passed... and I still miss her. She lost her husband just after he retired and was constantly telling me to enjoy the time DH and I had together... as it could be gone in the blink of an eye. It's wonderful that her son brought her to Florida to say goodbye.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Margaret (Peggy or Peg too)January 29, 2023 at 5:32 PM

    I'm sorry. I am not enjoying all these aging transitions and this is one I too will dread. I'm glad you got to spend time with her.

    ReplyDelete
  5. gigi-hawaiiJanuary 30, 2023 at 10:15 AM

    Oh, what a wonderful life she lived. So nice of her son to bring her back to Florida for a final farewell.

    ReplyDelete

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