"Time is an illusion; 'Lunch Time' doubley so..."
Mmm-mm, I want to linger,
Mmm-mm, I little longer,
Mmm-mm, A little longer here, with you.
Mmm-mm, And as the years go by,
Mmm-mm, I will look back and sigh,
Mmm-mm, It was "Good night" and not "Good-bye"....
~ traditional Camp song ~
At the end of November-beginning of December, 2001, both of my grandparents - my Dad's parents, Ed & Essie - passed away within exactly a week of each other. We think they sort of unconsciously or consciously made that decision, given the timing and a couple of other details.
December 2001.
Today is Wednesday 2 January 2008.
6 years.
It's been just over 6 years since last I saw my "Grandpa Ed" - not well, but sitting up in bed and talking to us all, and mulling-over giving into the temptation of my Aunt Anne sneaking him in some of Uncle Randy's chocolate birthday cake.
... And within 24 hours of that, he was gone.
And so, it's been just over 6 years that I haven't seen him since.
I have yet to ever visit their grave stones.
That's what started this line of thought :: I have never yet visited them again and their grave stones, since the day of Grandpa Ed's funeral, and that was 6 years ago.
How awful is that?
I'm sorta teary right now.
My Grandpa wanted me to do good in school (college).
... I don't feel that I can say that I did or have.
The last thing I remember my Grandma Essie telling me - coherently, through the terrible trap of Parkinson's disease - was a stunning Truth.... stunning because of it's impact on my memory, and my realization that we (as Living beings) stay who we are - in our minds, our home of our true self - despite the aging that occurs on our physical forms...
Just into her late 60's/ early 70's, Essie looked up into my eyes and said,
"Life is short."
Richmond, Indiana, isn't so terribly far away that I should have any viable excuse for not having visited their stones, their memory markers, on a hillside of the town I will forever associate with "my Dad's side of the family".
I don't think a visit to them would be too much to ask.
I need to make Time for this.
Today is a gift - that is why it is called the Present.
May we each make the Time for the important things in Life & the World in this new year.
Blessed New Year's 2008, to everyone I know... and have known.
I love you.
~M~
~