Lob a Chunk o' Feedback at Blog d'Elisson
The phrase "He's such a fine dancer" always comes to mind in such discussions.
I listened to far too much early Genesis in college.
That must have been so difficult. It's good you & SWMBO were there to do what you could.
Thinking of you today.
I have seen too much of the unexpected visitor in my life but I am a realist in that I know that the visitor comes to all of eventually. The visitor is not someone to fear but at the same time I figure on keeping the sumbitch locked out andon the porch as long as I can..or at least until I figure that I am reay for the visit and would rather have the visit at my leisure rather than that of the visitor. But after all, we are only born to eventually die and it it ain't mothin' but something else to do.
beautiful put, i don't think i've ever heard it said more eloquently. sweet elisson & swmbo, good luck today.
My thoughts are with you all today.
When my time comes for the visitor to appear, I hope there is someone as competent and compassionate as you there for me.
May you be blessed.
Sorry for your loss.
Having been close enough to feel the last breath of several people on my face, I can say, it does change you. You are more aware, even if for a short time.
Although it feels strange to use the word "good" in such a context, I can't help but think that if it was time for Howard to set out on his final journey, it is good that he took the first steps in a place he loved, among friends, just after a lovely davening experience -- to which you contributed -- and pleasant conversation.
Thinking of you and SWMBO.
Despite the circumstances, my soul is grateful that the Unexpected Visitor came when your friend was in the midst of love and fellowship. He was in the midst of his brothers. I wish you peace during this time.
Shalom,
Dana
Oy, sorry, so sorry. I am sending you both a hug from afar.
Oh I'm so sorry. I'll be sending good thoughts your way. (It has been one of those days....)
We only visit here for a short time.
When we come and when we go is not of our choosing.
I mourn your loss.
Geez, Elisson, remind me not to come to one of your sermons. You must be one powerful speaker.
Oh, and condolences...
I used to live just down the street from a little liquor store and got to know the owners quite well.
Unfortunately, they really didn't have a clue about hiring employees and had to fire a few for drinking on the job. There were times when I went in there and the employee on duty was obviously more than a little tipsy.
I went in one day, shortly after a new guy had been hired, and he was acting kind of drunk. A little slurry, having trouble bagging things up. I figure that the owners of the store had done it again and hired a drinker.
As I walked back home, I got a weird feeling that maybe something just wasn't right, but since the store had had so many employees fired for drinking on the job, I just kept walking.
I found out the next day that the guy had had a stroke and died.
I still trouble over that to this day...years since it happend. I wish I had done something....asked if he was Ok. I wished I hadn't dismissed him as yet another drunk employee.
I'm glad that *you* were at least able to be there for your fellow, even if there wasn't much you could do. Hugs to your family and his.
...I hope the unexpected visitor taps me on the shoulder when I'm at a synagogue with the Rabbi nearby...no better place to be.
Sad to lose a friend...my G*d comfort you.
*may, not 'my'
Prayers going out to you and yours.
Thank goodness y'all had the chance to talk. And you're right - he was spared the indignity and pain that could have come.
Beautiful post Ellison. And a point we need to keep in mind.
Beautiful and eloquent, yet light enough to include and accept the realism of it all... Rarely should we mourn the natural death of those who have lived full lives. Rather, we should celebrate with joy the lives they lived, the lives they touched...
In my 5 full decades, I've not actually been with someone as they get that tap on the shoulder. Shortly before, and shortly after, but never there for the moment. Roomie was with her Dad earlier this year when he expired, and she has spoken and written of it as being a very quiet and ethereal passing. Would that we all should be so lucky...
was with my father in law Saturday, just after the Uninvited Vistor came. it was his second visit. i havenīt had the guts to go see him since he was taken away.
.. my sincere condolences, Elisson... it was good he was among friends...
Oh, wow...that's horrible news. My condolences.
Elisson, after all this time reading you, you still manage to take my breath away with your ability to speak directly to my heart.
A casual observer might mistake it for folksy patter or forced informality... but I recognize it for what it is; Wisdom.
Thank you for teaching me.
He was blessed he was at Temple when his visitor came, surrounded by people who cared about him and not alone.
My MIL died the same way, in church. We were angry at first, feeling cheated. But now we see all the blessings, the biggest one being that she did not linger and suffer. She didn't deserve that.
I'm sorry for you and his family and friends...
I am in awe.
Once again, you have taken a tragedy and made a life lesson out of it, and did it with your usual style and grace.
Please extend my deepest sympathy to the family.
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