Monday, July 10, 2006

the last visit ...

this is the last pic of leo and his big sis ... lucille and her husband visited us in 2004 and we had a super time ... good memories were made, which we have dusted off and viewed again at this time ...

we won't be going to the funeral ... isn't that sad? ... it is just too big a trip for leo to undertake without more time and planning ... but our consolation is that we DID visit when we had the opportunity ...

thank you for the warm comments, thoughts and prayer sent our way ... it is SO VERY appreciated ... i have read your messages to leo as well ... shared grief makes for a lighter load ...

15 comments:

Jammie J. said...

i didn't go to my dad's funeral.

i didn't regret it. still don't. i don't want to remember him that way.

(hugs)

Anonymous said...

Grateful that Leo's sister just fell asleep and woke up in eternity. Reminds me of the song about "stepping on shore and finding it heaven, breathing new air and finding it celestial, touching a hand and finding it God's, waking up in glory and finding it home." We can be happy for the one who has graduated, but oh how those left will miss her, I know. No one ever takes the place of another...the empty chair remains till we are all together never to be parted again...how anyone lives without that hope, I do not know!!
(((((((HUGS))))))))))

daisymarie said...

how precious that you have sweet memories. hopefully someone can video the service...or at least take lots of pics for you. hugs.

Ramblins of a middle-aged goddess said...

Memories. I am so glad that you have such great ones. Keep them close to your hearts...

Maggie Ann said...

That sounds like a wise decision with your husband's health situation. Thats a special picture of a special brother and sister...how glad you must be for that visit and the warm memories. Love & prayers!

Saija said...

jeanette ... i understand what you are saying - sometimes the memories are sweeter when you don't have to view the finality of death ... though i find that when i have gone to a funeral - it does bring closer and i've mourned with others - which was a good thing for me ...

elizabeth ... yes to close ones eyes, then open them and view eternity rather than life on this earth - well i would think it would be sweet ... i hope it was that way for lucille ...

tina ... i was thinking the same, wishing that someone would take pictures of the gathering and flowers and stuff ... leo's last remaining sister will be there, so i'm hoping that she will do that ...

sandy ... yes, we never even realize the memories we make and store, until we have need of them at a sad moment ... to cheer us ...

maggie ann ... we did want to go, but sometimes in life one has to realize there are limitations ... and i think that this is one of them ... thank you for the prayer!

Catherine said...

What a beautiful photo! I'm glad you and Leo have good memories to hold onto.

I've always been of the opinion that the funeral is for the benefit of the surviving loved ones -- not for the deceased. You guys can honor her memory in your own way without having to make that trip. Light a candle to her memory, say some prayers, share your memories of her with each other -- do whatever brings YOU comfort in this time of loss.

**hugs**

Pilot Mom said...

I'm so sorry for your and Leo's loss, Saija. How glad I am that you all have such great memories...and that's what is important...the relationship. I have the very same verse in times like these. Praying for you and Leo.

Saija said...

catherine ... i guess we really wanted to go so that we could hopefully give some comfort our our niece and nephew (both in their 30's) - the sudden loss of a mom must be heartbreaking for them ... she really did an awful lot for her kids and step-children ... but you are absolutely right, we should have our own memory time ... leo suggested we fix the flat on my bike and just chat about lucille - so whenever i go out for a bike ride, i will be thinking of her ... ya, we're a little odd, but it works for us ... (hugs)

claire ... thank you, we sure appreciate the prayer ... we are are getting used to the idea of lucille dieing, but it takes time for the old brain to wrap itself around a surprising event like a sudden death ... blessings to you ...

Saija said...

i notice i'm stuttering in my comments ... sheesh, eh ...

Anonymous said...

I certainly need to catch up on blog reading...

Saija and Leo, I'm so sorry to hear of your sister's death. But as was stated above, how glorious to go to sleep and wake up in eternity! I like that. It's comforting to have had the opportunity to visit and you can hold those memories close to your hearts.

This has been such a strange year. I've heard of (as well as experienced) so many deaths and it's only July! Two of my friends' moms were diagnosed with lung cancer during the time my mom was ill. They're both still with us right now, though.

God bless you both, Saija. You're on my heart and mind.

Saija said...

gayla ... i know this is all so fresh for you too ... i'm thinking of lucille's 2 children who are in their mid-30's - so sad for them ... as well as the grandkids ... but she certainly died in the best of ways, living life to the fullest until one morning she didn't wake up! (hugs) to you too Gayla ...

Fred said...

So sorry, Saija. Pelase pass along my condolences to Leo.

Unknown said...

(hugs)

Saija said...

susie ... it happened so suddenly, she wasn't sick or in the hospital ... she just went to sleep and didn't wake up ... all in the course of a seemingly normal sunday ... during that visit, leo and lucille laughed so much that they cried ... i will read your note to leo ... thank you ...

fred ... thank you, i certainly will ...

mrsd ... (hugs)