We Remember Them

Saturday June 14th   Rawlins, WY

It’s the last night of our trip to the Pacific Northwest. By the time we get back to Evergreen, we will have traveled 4,971 miles in 30 days. There were some wonderful memories; horseback riding on Bandon beach, our glass blowing class, spending time with Cousin Marjie, the ruggedly beautiful scenery of the Oregon coast, seeing Cape Flattery, walking in the wagon ruts of the Oregon Trail and bringing Maisie into our lives.  But the losses and heartbreak of the past 4 weeks are just absolutely devastating.

Walking into our home tomorrowwill be really hard. The first thing we’ll see are Enzo’s food and water dishes, which are right by the door, along with his leash and the corner where he loved to curl up and nap.

When we open the pantry, we’ll see the cans of Arnold Palmer that we always kept on hand for Debbie and her favorite chair where she sat for our Sunday football marathons.

And on a corner of my desk is a collection of small gifts I was accumulating for our daughter and our granddaughter to be.

To prepare myself for going home, I read a poem written by Sylvan Kamens & Rabbi Jack Riemer that’s always helped me in times of tragedy and loss:

At the rising sun and at its going down; We remember them.

At the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter; We remember them.

At the opening of the buds and in the rebirth of spring; We remember them.

At the blueness of the skies and in the warmth of summer; We remember them. At the rustling of the leaves and in the beauty of the autumn; We remember them.

At the beginning of the year and when it ends; We remember them.

As long as we live, they too will live, for they are now a part of us as

We remember them.

When we are weary and in need of strength; We remember them.

When we are lost and sick at heart; We remember them.

When we have decisions that are difficult to make; We remember them.

When we have joy we crave to share; We remember them.

When we have achievements that are based on theirs; We remember them.

For as long as we live, they too will live, for they are now a part of us as, We remember them.

Take care of yourselves and cherish those you love.

I’ll be blogging again soon when we get back On The Rhoda.