Friday, October 8, 2010

A Tender Farewell



Today's post is touched with sadness.

Life does not always turn out the way one hopes. Sometimes, there are deep disappointments and sorrows so painful, it makes it hard to breathe.

Divorce is soul shaking, even if it's for the best. It's like a death, in itself. Two people who have vowed to remain "until death do us part" go their separate ways and no one is ever again the same. If there have been children born of the union, divorce is even more painful but sometimes, it is what it is.  Children eventually adapt, ex-husbands and ex-wives get on with their lives, perhaps older and wiser, or perhaps not.

A person who was part of our family for many years and then left due to divorce has lost his fight for life. His struggle to survive was a valiant one and lasted at least six years.  I loved this person since he came into the family circle and was very, very sad when the marriage ended and he left.




He was fun-loving and had a twinkle in his very blue eyes. He loved to laugh and was always telling a joke or two. In the day, he loved Manhattans. His dream of traveling all over the world came true as his job required travel to some pretty amazing places. He even traveled quite a bit with his  adult children which opened wide their own worlds. No doubt,  they have some pretty awesome memories.

It's also wonderful that he got to meet his two adorable grandsons. They can carry on the legacy of his family name. They will be too little to remember him but they will have pictures of themselves as babies with their grandfather.



After he left the family circle, we still had news of his life through his kids and his ex-wife, with whom we remain close.   However, it has been years since I've seen him or heard his hearty laughter.  And now he is gone from this earth, marking the end of a very long era.

I'm glad his suffering is over. He fought a very hard battle since his will to live was so strong. His optimism in the midst of horrendous health challenges was nothing short of amazing. Actually, he was quite a remarkable man. He still died too young.
So today my heart is heavy for the loss, aching for all who knew and loved him, including his wife from a second marriage.

We must all wait until the next life to hug this dear man again, talk about old times, and let all the hurt, disappointments,  sadness and struggles evaporate forever. 

Godspeed, Eddie. God be with you, dear soul,  in eternity.




13 comments:

Adrienne said...

Offering my evening prayers for the repose of the soul of Eddie...May he rest in peace.

Carolyn said...

Hi Susan,
I am sorry to hear you have lost someone a loved one.You have written a nice tribute to him.
I pray for comfort for all those who loved him.

Take care,
Carolyn

Vee said...

Susan, what poignant writing. It's making me tear up and this is my first time here. Of course, this is because you've touched on universal truths that resonant with us all. May you and your family know comfort at this time.

LaDonna sent me over just to say hello and I couldn't resist her suggestion. Glad that I did...

Heaven's Walk said...

Dearest Susan - how sad. My prayers are with you this painful night....

xoxo laurie

Chatty Crone said...

This is a tough post. I am sorry for the loss of your friend Eddy and his pain. sandie

Linda @ A La Carte said...

So sorry for the loss of a friend. I understand that even though there is divorce one remains tied to the family through children and love. I have that with my 'other' family. Sadness is in every word you wrote. You and his family are in my prayers.

Olivia said...

Hello dear friend,
What a beautiful post. I am sorry to hear of your loss, but joyful that his pain is over and he is indeed in a better place. My life was shattered by divorce, when my parents marriage of 18 years fell apart. I am also watching friends and siblings struggle and head down the divorce road. I pray for my marriage to remain strong through all of lifes ups and downs. It is a beautiful thing that you loved this dear man despite losing him in your inner circle.
God bless you and your family.
Hugs,
Olivia

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

Susan, this brought a tear to my eyes. I, too, have people who were part of our family for many years, who chose to walk away, and the void has never been filled. I miss the laughter and the jokes, and I can understand the depth of the loss you feel. Praying for you tonight.

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Dear Susan, I have goosebumps as I am reading this beautiful post. Sending hugs your way! Tammy

Linda O'Connell said...

Susan,
My heart goes out to you on your loss. His memories live on. Blessings and peace to you and his loved ones.

Ocean Breezes and Country Sneezes said...

Dear Susan, I'm sorry for your loss, I will remember Eddie in my prayers.

Stephanie said...

Tia, thank you for writing such a BEAUTIFUL tribute to my father. It is very moving and you have no idea how much it means to me for you to write this. I will treasure this tribute to his memory for the rest of my time on earth. You are so talented and loving and I feel blessed to have had a father who merits a tribute like this.

Love, Stephanie

Donna said...

Susan, I am so sorry for your loss. Eddie sounds like an amazing man. He clearly made quite an impression on you, and I suspect on many others based on your description of him. What a lovely tribute you paid him with this blogpost... Donna

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