Saturday, March 3, 2012

Never Say Goodbye

barely 60. a young 60. alive. strong. loving each day. making plans to follow dreams. grand dreams.


twenty-five years younger, her world revolved around him. always the two of them. never just one.

the headaches started. unceasing. then the diagnosis. brain cancer. terminal.

he was strong. optimistic. a fighter. never give up. never. 

the latest technology. the most advanced procedures. finally, peaceful resignation. living the last days as he had lived the rest. filled with gratitude. no regrets. 


for her, anger. pain. bitterness. saying goodbye was harder than she thought*... more than she could do. as she faded into the background, only denial remained.









This *Saturday Centus is in memory of a dear friend who passed away three years ago.  In his wife's struggle to say goodbye, or perhaps, more correctly, to hold onto him, many of us feel we lost her also. This timely prompt from Jenny Matlock for Saturday Centus causes me to think of another friend whose husband is nearing the end of his mortality. I hope and pray that through her faith and her understanding of a loving Heavenly Father and His plan for us, she will be able to say "see you later" with peace and calm in her heart when the time comes. I pray that she will accept the love and support and acts of kindness of family and friends who love her husband almost as much as she does.

To see the writing of other Centusians, click HERE.




18 comments:

21 Wits said...

...and now the kleenix please. So very tender this sweet love they share forever more....

Bookie said...

Such a heartbreaking blog entry today, but hope it helped you too by writing it.

Susan Anderson said...

Beautiful, Anita.

I will let you know what happens with our friend. Their kids are all here to see him on his way, and I'm sure that is a great strength for all of them.

=)

Koby said...

This post breaks my heart. I've been in love with my husband since I was 11 years old. We've been married for almost 30 years and the thought of living one minute more than him on this earth is almost more than I can bare to even think about.

Prayers for your friends..

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

I'm sure that dealing with loss is so difficult. I can only imagine the pain that your friend went through. I pray that they can both turn to the Lord for healing and lean on him. In time he will help them to stand on their own.
Hugs,
Jann

Dreaming said...

Your writing is very powerful - it hijacked my emotions.

Once Upon an Equine said...

What a blessing to know that death is not a final goodbye.

Ames said...

A sensitive and loving post. The photography is awesome...as usual. I could never tire of looking at your views.~Ames

Vern said...

This is the 2nd sad post I've seen today. It doesn't matter how "old" people are, life (and death) is hard.

JANU said...

Beautiful...the pictures add a nice touch to the story.

Judee said...

This is so heartbreaking, and such a lovely tribute to your friend and what she went through. It is those who are left behind who suffer, I hope she is much better now. The pictures are well chosen and add to the overally tone.

Judie said...

One of my cousins is dying of cancer, and her current husband married her knowing that. He wanted her get as much out of life as she possible can.

Rek Sesh said...

Beautiful, your pictures don't add to the story rather the words add to the beautiful pictures. It is difficult to let go of someone we have loved and had in our lives for more years than we can remember.
Why don't you join the A-Z?...even those that are basically photo blogs can, I would love for more people to see your work.

ain't for city gals said...

Oh my..those were the last words my dad said to us "See you later"...we try to honor that memory

Tina said...

Awww this is so sad. And even more so that its a real story. God bless your friend

Unknown said...

Thank you for visiting my post.

This is a very sad and beautifully written story.

Well done.

Best wishes,
Anna

For the benefit of other readers:

Goodbye Pierre - SCwk 96

You may also like to read this story expanded to 400 words for RFWers:
Anna's RFWers Challenge No.33 'I love you because...'

Unknown said...

Thinking about Rek's suggestion:
I am going to do the 'from A to Z in April' with mostly pictures. You could do it too. Start now, and schedule your posts for April.

Hugs,
Anna
oxox

Jenny said...

What a tender and poignant piece in honor of your friend.

This was really, really heartbreaking.

Did the telling help your heart heal a tiny bit?

I hope so.

You shared some powerful words here.

Sending you a big hug!