* In Honour Of ...

my Parents.  Roger and Dorothy.  Or Dottie and Rogie as they called each other.  I realized today I do not know what day my Papa passed away.  I know it was within the last couple of days.  It made me realize how truly unattached to time I am.  Looking back on my life, timing just isn't in my memory cells.  I remember events, but could I tell you what year, what month, what day??  ... a definite no on that one.  What I do remember about my Papa's passing is every detail, every second of the three days leading to and including his crossing over.  I could describe it to you in minute detail.

During the last three years of their lives, I lived with them.  I learned more in that three years than I had in my entire lifetime.  It was an honour.  It was a gift.  I shall always be grateful for the opportunity.  I shall always be grateful I said yes to the opportunity.

I really have nothing left photograph wise of my parents.  When it comes my turn to leave this earth, no one will be interested in my family history.  It just didn't make any sense to me to keep it.  I miss it sometimes.  Looking through the few momento's I have with me, I came across this photograph.  I think it might have been around 1948 - 1950.  I remember the absolute love and delight I held in my heart for Papa's hat.  I remember Mama's fur coat and her boots with the fur trim.  For the first time ever, when I looked at this photo today, I saw a little smidgen of myself in my Mama.

I miss them.  They lead a full, rich and splendid life.  Papa was 97 and Mama was 93 years upon this planet.  It doesn't matter how long they are able to stay with you does it.  When they left, I felt like an orphan.  Speaking with other friends, I think this is a very common reaction.

The lessons I learned being their daughter have been invaluable.  The love we shared is a treasure.  Papa has been gone for seven years, Mama for nine years.  It doesn't seem that long and yet it seems forever.

The flags flew at half mast for you, Papa.  I think you would have liked that.  I will always remember that image and out of respect and love hold it in my consciousness.  

So here's to you .. both of you.  Here's to the footprints you left behind.  Here's to the people you touched.  Here's to the goodness you created.  Here's to the gifts you scattered everywhere you stepped.  Here's to the courage you held in your hearts to live your best life.  I hope I have just a little of you in me.  It would make me proud.

Rog and Dot

Should you be interested in reading my thoughts on my parents passing, you may do so on "Fragments of a Woman".  Papa's passing HERE 

Mama's passing  HERE

 “Your time is limited, don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma, which is living the result of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinion drown your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition, they somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.” – Steve Jobs