I have been so busy taking care of the many business details and the decisions one has to make, that I don’t really know how I feel about it all yet. But we have had a lot of fun too. All of the children are home and my house has become a homeless like shelter with people sleeping on the floor, on the davenports and on the Lazy Boys until my son-in-law decided enough was enough and engaged two hotel rooms nearby.
Old friends came from Minneapolis and as always when we get together with them, the house was filled with laughter. We met them years ago at Green Lake where we used to go every summer and have become very close. The wife and my daughter are close friends as are her husband and my sons and they are nice enough to love Bill and me too.
I don’t want this to be a sad post. He was 88 and his quality of life was nil so it was a blessing. We are filled with happy memories and funny tales of things he said and did and we have had a lot of fun telling these over and over to each other.
I am including a picture of his honor guard at his resting place. It was such a lovely ceremony. Taps will hit you in the gut every time.
27 comments:
Oh Bernie I am so sorry for your loss, as much as we think we are prepared we are never ready for that call.....you are right my dear friend, Bill had a long life filled with love and laughter. He lost that the past years but I believe he has them back now....he would of been pleased to know you were all together, supporting each other and especially loving and laughing together. God Bless you my friend.......sending big hugs from Canada.....:-)
Bernie so sorry. If he had no quality of life then you must feel it best in some ways.It seems you had a rare and wonderful marriage and so many treasured memories.You are going into another phase of your life and hope you will get joy from it as you have from the last one,
big hugs,love,
Von
My sincere condolences go out to you Bernie. I hope the sorrow you feel will always be comforted by happy memories of your life together. I know you will be fine, your family, friends and your own determination and strength will see you through this saddest of times.
Love and admiration to you.
Wanda
Hugs to you Bernie.
I'm familiar with that long long goodbye from my experience with my dad's alzheimers, so understand that your sadness at the loss of the man you spent so many of your years with is tempered by the relief (for him and you)that this particular part of the journey with him is over. My condolences to you and your family - you are so blessed to have had so many loved ones to share the grief and the memories.
(How did your doggie do with all the people around?)
Sending prayers and condolences.
Bernie, I am so sorry for your loss. Big hugs from NYC.
Bernie,
I am so sorry for your loss of your beloved husband, Bill. May all your wonderful memories of your life together comfort you somehow...
It is good to know you have such wonderful family & friendship support during this time.
Sending hugs across the miles...
My sincere condolences to you, Bernie, and your family. May your many happy memories comfort you at this sad time.
I am sorry for your loss. You have a wonderful attitude towards Bill and life in general. May you live many more healthful years with your ever faithful Artful Dodger!
I think you are such an amazing person with a wonderful attitude about life! While there is such a sadness of loss in missing a partner for life, you are celebrating the good memories, great times and family that you are left with. My mother taught me that....we would be in the midst of real problems or sadness and she would say "well, lets go out and have a bite to eat"...meaning "life goes on, make the best of it...it's all too short". Even when she was terribly ill, she would look for something good or fun to do next. Those around you are lucky to have you for your outlook on life and I'm sure they are an equal blessing to you! Hugs
I'm so sorry Bernie...this is such a hard time even though you were preparing for it for a while. I'm glad you are surrounded by friends, family and cherished memories. What a legacy to leave...lovely children, loving wife of 60yrs...so rare in today's world. Hugs to you from me.
I'm so sorry to read of Bill's passing, take comfort in the memories you made together.
Sorry to hear about your loss ...it takes time to know how you feel. Laughter and remembering the fun moments really do work the best. Take care of your self.
Bernie, I feel that I've gotten to know you somewhat through your blog, therefore, I believe you when you say you're okay to let Bill go. You've been strong and brave while watching him endure alzheimers, and he was blessed for having you, and you to have him, I'm sure.
I wish you peace and good health, and many more years of "real life" with your family and friends.
Blessings to you as you adjust and reflect upon your life with Bill, a soldier in more than one way.
God bless you, Bernie. I'm so sorry for your loss. What a rare man you shared your life with.
Joey
You will always have the memories of those wonderful 60 years together <3
My sincerest sympathies are with you, I am so very sorry for your loss. Memories are such a comfort and I know that through sixty years, you must have so many joyous ones to remember.
My heart and prayers are with you.
Bernie, I am so sorry for your loss. I wish I had some words of wisdom for you...but I'm not that profound. So I will simply say that I love you and I know that your Spirit will carry you through...Luv!
Bernie,
I am very sorry for your loss.
Ana
Bernie, so sorry for your loss. Sending prayers to you and your family from Winnipeg.
I'm so sorry for your loss, Bernie. And so glad you're surrounded by family and friends who can cry and laugh with you. Sending prayers and love to you all.
I am so sorry for your loss. My love and prayers are with you.
Dear Bernie, I just got back from vacation and when I came to visit you, realized that you have had much to handle over the past weeks. I offer my condolences to you - such a long, happy marriage with Bill must give you peace and many happy memories.
I am so very sorry to hear of your loss and I am so moved by the beautiful love that lives within you.
May you find comfort in the love that you two shared and from the many family and friends who love and care for you.
Hugs,
I can't begin to think how I would manage without my husband of 33 years. I learn a lot from you. My parents both had/have long lives: my mother died at 90, painful to see her waste away and my father at 93 keeps going with many health problems as well as being almost blind and almost deaf. Neither has/had Altzheimer's. Perhaps it would be easier for them if they did, though not for us.
What an amazing and incredible thing to be together for 60 years.
Sending good thoughts and prayers your way! Hugs!
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