The Word Cloud

Having just read Harrys blog reminded me of my own parents passing.
I'm  SNU Spiritualist who believes in life after death, but this in no way eases the pain of loss when parents finally pass on. 

Even though I have a brother and sister who are both married and live within 10 miles of me, I felt quite orphaned and alone.



Having lost both my parents I feel quite deeply for anyone else who loses loved ones.
 
LOSS

     My father passed first and as I took my mother to the chapel of rest  to say her goodbyes, I remember thinking something really stupid - they've done his hair wrong - But gazing down at him in the coffin his face seemed free of all the pain he'd carried for the past 10 years of suffering from his cancer and other troubles.  I stood beside my mother and held my emotions very firmly in check.  She needed me to be strong.  (How could I drive her home if I became an emotional mess). 
Also, the chapel of rest is not a place I'm comfortable in.
     When my mum passed 3 years later, it was a struggle, alone in an empty house.  Lots of people knew my parents so it proved difficult to visit town without someone approaching to ask after them. 
     How many times is it possible to hold your emotions in check when informing people that Bebs (mam) has passed away?  How do you cope with the shocked expression as they give their genuine heartfelt condolences and with tears glazing over their eyes, they take your hand and tell you they'll remember them fondly.

You just do.

Time passes-by slowly but with certainty.  Eventually the pain eases and subsides making room for the happier memories to wander in and take over.