Let's Work Backwards For A While

December 30, 2014.

What do I remember about this day? Everything and absolutely nothing.

I remember standing at my brother's bedside with my niece Heather holding her Dad's hand with mine as we waited for him to finally leave a world his body could no longer function in.

I remember my sister-in-law Linda playing especially loved music on her phone to comfort her dying husband.

I remember my husband standing by my side ready to offer any comfort he could to me. To my parents. To everyone and no one because he already knew there just weren't any words that would be heard.

I remember my niece Sandy crying out 'Hurry up, Kate' because she knew he wouldn't leave on his own. He wanted to stay and see what his girls' futures held. She believed, as did we all, that Katie was the only one who could convince him to leave. I assumed in my heart that the joy of being with her at last would outweigh the pull of this earthly life.

So he left. He left on a Tuesday afternoon while his favorite song, Tuesday Afternoon by the Moody Blues played in the room. He left as he came... Loved and Loving.