Monday, November 12, 2012

My dad has taken his last walk in the woods....

Hello All,

A sad update.  My dad took his last walk in the woods last night around 2 a.m.  Am exhausted, but it will be a healing week.  I will post some pics of him later on and am now working on his eulogy.  My dad was a forester - he always loved this quote:

I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. Henry David Thoreau



Bless you dad, you did live...

Bless you all for your kindness!

60 comments:

  1. My condolences to you and your family, WMM. I'm generally a lurker, but please know that in my reading of your blog, what I imagine to be your father's humor and generosity are evidenced every day in you. Thinking of you during this difficult time…((hugs)).

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    1. Oh Thank you audball! Lurkers are some of my favourite people! I am an inherent lurker myself!!!

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  2. I am so very sorry about the lose of your father. I lost mine 20 years ago last month. It will take time , but you will move on from grief to memories of the love and happy times. Your family will be in my prayers.

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    1. Thanks Mini! You are so right - I know that I will get used to this, just like my mum. But boy oh boy, it is hard to lose your last parent...

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  3. I am so so sorry. I wouldn't be able to write a word, sending you much love.
    My husband's friend died too yesterday, she was 44, I'm all emotionally overwrought today. You must be devastated.

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    1. Thanks Tabs! So sorry to hear of your loss as well! I called my mum's best friend, a wee lady of 87 from Shropshire and she had just lost another friend two days ago! My goodness, something in the air! Good may come of it, I may go to Skye next year and if I do, expect to be entertained by you some evening, even if we are only wearing uggs and drinking bourbon!

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    2. Oh that would lovely, I've only been there once it was stunning.

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  4. I'm so sorry to hear this Wendy - even though it was expected, I'm sure it is still upsetting. For now I imagine you are keeping things together somewhat so that you can write the eulogy and do the thousand and one other things that have to be done at a time like this. My thoughts are with you and your family, take care.

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    1. Thanks muchly Patricia! I will have fun with the eulogy. I am a big fan of seeing someone off well. It will be after that I will be a mess. and last night. Today I am on adrenelin!

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  5. I'm so terribly sorry for your loss Wendy. From your words, he sounded like such a wonderful man and father, and I'm so glad you had these last days to share with him and say goodbye. My thoughts are with you.

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  6. I'm so sad and sorry to hear. At some point, I'll tell you why the beautiful picture you've posted is also meaningful to me and my dad. Right now, I'm choking back tears and sending over a big hug.

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    1. I can't wait to hear Tiffany Rose. I believe people find each other in life for a reason!

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  7. I'm so sorry, Wendy. He must have been very special. And a forester, how interesting, I'd have loved to hear his thoughts on life (feel free to share). People who work close to the land always seem to have a grounded and interesting perspective on life. And the father of WMM must also have had an extraordinary sense of humor. Keep him close in your heart. My thoughts are with you on this sad day.

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    1. Thanks Cate. Oh he was a smartass all right! And a good time at a party. I will post a couple of pics and the eulogy later in the week!

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  8. I'm so sorry for you and I wanted to share a poem a friend sent me last year when my Dad was reunited with my Mother.

    I stood watching as the little ship sailed out to sea,
    The setting sun tinted it's sails with a golden light,
    And as it disappeared from view a voice at my side whispered he is gone,
    But the sea was a narrow one and on the further shore a little band of friends had gathered to watch in happy expectation,
    Suddenly they caught sight of the tiny sail and at the very moment when my companion had whispered he is gone a glad shout went up in joyous welcome with the words
    HERE HE COMES
    xoxo

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  9. Deepest respects and sympathies. Thank you for sharing the quote with me during this time in your life.

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  10. Wendy I'm so so sorry. I've been thinking of you and I will continue to send you my prayers during this week. Be sure to rest and take care of yourself too.
    CS Lewis said this, and I am conjuring it from memory, but it went something like:
    "It's not that the candle has gone out, but the flame is so close to the sun we can no longer discern its brilliance"
    May your Dad rest in peace. Big hugs to you, xox.

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    1. Oh Dani - I had not heard this before - I love this quote! You and Marsha are giving me some good ideas!

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  11. My deepest condoleances Wendy, I am so sorry for your loss. I love what you wrote about your dad, he must have been proud to have ypu as a daughter. My thoughts are with you and your family. If you need distraction we are here.

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    1. Thank you Ema - I will for sure need a distraction. Style question Wednesday will likely be - should a woman who is almost 50 wear purple pants???? I think I know what the answer is!

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  12. Dear Wendy, I imagine over the next days you will hear and share many stories about your dear Dad. Those memories will always keep his legacy burning bright. And I think every time you look up at the trees or walk through the woods he will be very close to you again.
    I also imagine that you more than anyone knew both his vulnerability and his courage in the last few days and years.
    He and your mum are together again in spirit and their love and devotion now watch over you.
    I have a lump in my throat thinking of what this loss is to you. Sending my sympathy and prayers.

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    1. Thanks GF - your emails over the last few days have been helpful indeed!

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  13. Wendy, I will be thinking of you in this extremely difficult time. Love your dad's favorite quote, thank you for sharing it.

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  14. I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing your father's favourite quote. Condolences to you and your family, and wishing you strength. Take care,
    Louise

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  15. My thoughts are with you and your family. This is a beautiful quote you picked and I hope that writing eulogy will help you fill that void in your heart.
    At least you had time to prepare, but I know it still always comes so sudden...
    Love, ajc

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    1. Thank you so much AJC! You are right - it was good to prepare but it is always hard when it actually happens!

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  16. Very sorry to hear about your father, it must be comforting to you that you got to spend his last days with him. Take care.

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  17. Such sad news. We have had a death in our family, too, in the last few weeks, and it is really tough. I know you will handle it all with your typical warmth and grace, and even a little humor, which helps.Take good care of yourself while you are tending to others, you are in my thoughts.

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  18. I'm so sorry for your loss - sending thoughts and prayers your way.
    L

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  19. Oh Wendy, I am so sorry. I know this time is difficult for you even though it was expected. You will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you for sharing the Thoreau quote. Your dad sounds like he was a very interesting man and quite the character from what you describe. I'm sure he will be missed by many.

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  20. My sincere condolences to you and your family. It is so difficult when a parent passes, I wish you great strength. The good memories are to be treasured, how nice that you have a special quote that will bring a smile to your heart, even if there is a tear in your eye.

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  21. Wendy, so sorry for your loss. This really makes you feel like a little girl since no matter your age or your father's age, you always see each other the same. I still miss my dad, but isn't it great we had such wonderful ones?

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    1. I so agree with you! It is nice to be someone's girl for all your life!

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  22. I had been checking your blog and hoping not to read this sad news. I'm sure you will do a fabulous job on his eulogy being the engaging writer that you are. My thoughts are with you and your family.

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  23. I am so so sorry for your loss of your Dad. I will be keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. (((BIG HUG)))

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  24. Wendy,i am so sorry for your loss.
    I couldnt imagine not having my dad,so this muct be very hard.
    I pray that you will have the strengh to go through this hard time!

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  25. Wendy, dear, your dad's greatest achievements live on in his family, your spark and your delight in life didn't just happen. I know he's proud of this legacy. Warm thoughts.

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    1. thanks Fred! I will have some words on hedgehogs for you later!

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  26. May he rest in peace. You are such an uplifting positive person - it is really evident that you were raised by wonderful people. Lots of virtual hugs to you.

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  27. My thoughts and prayers are with you, WMM. I'm so sorry for your loss.

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  28. I am so sorry to hear about his. What beautiful words about your Dad, your first line was like a poem.

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  29. I am late here and so sorry for your loss, WMM! May he rest in peace.

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  30. WMM, I'm very late with catching up on blog reading, but I was just going back through your posts and wanted to say how sorry I was to read about your dad's passing. You were blessed to have such a wonderful parent. May you find joy in your memories of him this Christmas.

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Kindness is a virtue...