As my husband drops me off at the airport he comments on how early I am for my 11am flight to Vancouver – just over two hours. “It helps me stay calm when travelling,” I tell him.
And it’s true. Rushing only causes my blood to rush faster through my veins, speeding up my heartbeat and my thoughts. None of which helps keep me grounded in the moment, present to my surroundings, embodied within my whole being.
Seated at my Gate, I sit across from a woman in traditional African dress. She looks tired. Doesn’t speak English. I know as she showed me her boarding pass, pantomied, “Here? Yes?” to which I nodded my head in affirmation. I wonder how far she’s travelled. I wonder if her feet will get cold in her open-toed slip-ons. They match her dress and headdress beautifully. They may not match the weather in Vancouver.
I am off to visit my eldest daughter, grandchildren, son-in-love as well as my sister, Anne who lives on Gabriola Island. My youngest daughter flew in yesterday. Anne after breaking her knee-cap in May, developed a blood clot in her leg and cannot fly. Which means, she cannot come to our sister’s Celebration of Life on December 9. It is especially hard as she hasn’t been able to travel since the break, and couldn’t visit Jackie while she was in hospital.
As I travel west, I carry with me memories and thought of my sisters and my brother. My daughter and I were talking about how hard this loss is. And yes, it is. Yet, even though it’s hard, I have the choice to do the hard with grace and in Love. And that is what I do. Choose Love. Walk with grace.
My eldest daughter and I wrote Jackie’s obituary over the weekend. It is strange writing that word, ‘obituary’ in relation to my eldest sister. It is not a word I expected to write beside her name for many years to come.
And that is the crux of it. As it always is. We thought we had more time. More time to savour meals together, laughter, moments of joy, of shenanigans, of communion with the ones we love.
And then we don’t.
It is a lesson in Love. Cherish the ones who are close to us. Shower love all over your path, where ever you go and always, choose to do the hard with grace as your constant companion.
Namaste.
Dare Boldly 
We always carry memories and they can bring us warmth after the pain subsides. Sending you safe travel vibes and great visiting time with your Littles. The tonic you need.
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Thank you Bernie — and yes, The Littles were exactly the tonic I needed! ❤
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Hi Louise
I too write an obituary this spring for an elder brother who left too early. It’s not easy but moving forward is better to do in grace and joy.
Thanks for the reminder.
Namaste
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Dearest John, at dinner last night my cousin commented that I choose friends who are a lot like my sister, Jackie. It is a lovely thought and in thinking of you, I feel I have chosen a friend so much like her — a blessing in my life. Thank you. ❤
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You are one with Jackie as she is one with you through shared memories with family and friends. Her spirit lives on through your beautiful words.
Namaste ❤️
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So true Iwona. Our siblings are the one’s with whom we have the longest shared experiences — even though often we saw family events through different lenses, we still share the experience and that links us forever. ❤
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Such a beautifully written obituary and a lovely photo of your sister – Jackie looks so much like you. Sending love and caring thoughts your way.
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Thank you dear Val. Our mother’s genes were very strong — the resemblance between all my siblings is extremely strong — as it is with my daughters too! ❤ The Celebration of Life on Saturday was hard — yet we went through it with grace and love and that made all the difference. ❤
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Lovely heartfelt obituary.
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Thank you. ❤
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Safe travels …
Lovely obituary.
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She was a lovely woman. Thank you Mark. ❤
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