Monday 20 October 2008

Reflections

Saturday morning dawned with the most spectacular sunrise, it was going to be the perfect fall weekend. Temperatures were forecast as bearable and the sun was very strong. After your collective kick in the arse, I got ready to go out for my run.

After many pleasant interruptions, either phone calls from friends or canvasser's at the door. I headed out. My neighbour was coming up my lane with his fuzzy little black dog in tow. Mike is clinically deaf so I have to wave and do my attempt at sign language, which always make him laugh...he is just so funny, he is my neighbour who wears the construction helmet when the acorns are falling. He is an absolute hoot. His wife is just as much fun.

Mike was on his way to tell me that a very good friend of ours (his uncle by marriage) was found dead on his dock.

It was crushing news for me.

As I came to terms with this, Mike stepped forward to hug me while I cried and tried to make sense of it all. Apparently our friend wanted to take his boat out for a spin up the river one last time before winter set in. He made it to the dock, collapsed and died. At least he was headed off to do something he loved and had happy thoughts, died quickly and is now with his late wife, looking down at all of us probably saying something like..."why the tears, I'm happy, I'm with Mon again, it is a nice day, now get out and do something productive".

Mike left me as I told him I needed to run to sort all of this out...and run I did, no garmin, no route, not even proper hydration (well a small bottle of PowerAid) and I ran. It was an odd run, with people stopping me as they were driving by. They shared their stories, their thoughts, their love of this man who had opened up his home to me when I separated from my significant other. He would not allow me to spend a Christmas, a Thanksgiving, a beautiful summer's night by myself. He ploughed out my driveway when we had the Ice Storm.

He and his wife knew that I was battling not only major health issues but the loss of a long time relationship...they would not allow me to be alone during special occasions. Both he and his late wife were very special to me.

My run went on and on and on. I laughed at some of the funny memories, I cried at the sad and because there were so many people out on such a glorious fall day wanting to stop and talk with me. I headed into the bush to run on the trails.

I had to run uninterrupted...I yelled to the trees at the top of my lungs and I prayed.

Today is the memorial for a really kind, gentle man who was getting on with his life after the loss of his beloved wife. He had found a new lady who truly loved him, they spent all their time together, they travelled, they blended families...they were happy...now it is time for me to be happy that he lived his life exactly the way it was meant to be and that his purpose on earth is now complete.

Life's fun if you don't weaken,

Lily

25 comments:

C said...

((HUGS)) Oh Lily, I'm so sorry. You're right though, I'm sure he is happy now being with his wife again.

Take care.

Mel-2nd Chances said...

sorry about your loss, and as you said, he's probably happy being with his wife. take care.

jahowie said...

I'm very sorry for your loss.

Marlene said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. He sounds like a wonderful guy. :(

Unknown said...

I am truly sorry to hear this. There is definitely a happy reunion now for this couple up in heaven. He sounds like a cool guy!

Marcy said...

((((HUGS)))) chica! I'm so so sorry for you loss.

BeachRunner said...

So sorry for your loss. He sounds like a super guy. Your memories of him are precious.

Jess said...

So sorry about your loss, but at least running was there for you to sort through some of your grief.

Wes said...

You do your friend(s) honor this day. It's tough not to let personal sadness get in the way of our pride and admiration at such a wonderful soul having lived such a wonderful life. In the end, it comes a blurry mix of the two, until the tears fade away, and nothing is left but the pride and admiration.

Big hugs to you, chica!!!

Vickie said...

Sorry to hear about the loss of your friend! It always makes you stop and think when someone is taken so suddenly from us! I think its harder when they go suddenly than if they had an extended illness. You will always miss him! Glad you were able to get out and run and lift your spirits.

Anonymous said...

*hugs*

I am so sorry for your loss.

love ya,
~ cissy

Laurel said...

Oh Laurel!

I am so sorry about you losing such a wonderful friend. He sounds like an amazing and wonderful man who lead a beautiful life the way he wanted to. You were both lucky to have found each other.

Feel better and take care of yourself.

AddictedToEndorphins said...

Sorry about your loss lily! (((Hugs)))

Chic Runner said...

I'm very sorry for your loss, and hope that your run helped. I'll keep you in my prayers.

bluecolnago said...

don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened! :)

Meg said...

I'm sorry to hear about your loss. It sounds like you have a great community around you that share your love for him.

triguyjt said...

He must have been one heck of a great person...

I guess the run helped you come to grips with the whole thing in a small way...

Marci said...

I'm sorry about your loss. Remember the good times with your friend. ((Hugs))

Anonymous said...

He sounds like a tremendous and wonderful person. Running is such amazing therapy.

Still I'm sorry for your loss.

Carly said...

I am so sorry for your loss! He sounded like an awesome guy who will be missed very very much.
((hugs))

Runner Leana said...

Laurel, huge hugs for you my blogging friend. I am so sorry to hear about your loss.

Aron said...

i am so sorry for your loss :( big hugs being sent your way!

Amy said...

Lily, I am so very sorry to hear that you have lost such a dear friend. It is so hard, so hard to have to say goodbye suddenly to someone you care about and who cares about you. I wish you strength to bear your loss and in spite of your grief, to celebrate his life and what he meant to you.
Hugs, hugs, hugs,
Amy

Judi said...

ahhhh i am so so sorry about yur friend. that is so sad. celebrate his life, ok? he sounds like an awesome person to have known. be thankful you had the friendship.

E said...

I'm sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Sending you hugs.