I returned home from a trip last weekend. The trip had been planned and scheduled a year ago. Whenever we would return home from a travel event there would be a big poster hanging in the kitchen window: “Welcome Home, Dad and Mom” or in these last four years, “Welcome Home, Dad and Uncle John,” signed “Love, Rachel.” There would be milk and goodies in the fridge, bread in the cupboard, normally enough food to last a week!
There was no sign in the window welcoming me home last weekend, no milk or goodies in the fridge, no bread in the cupboard, Three months have passed since we lost Rachel. What I missed wasn’t the milk or the bread. I missed Rachel! Always will! There is no way to fill the empty chair, that empty table, this empty place in me.
My focus, however, must now be on what I do have and those I love just as deeply as I loved my Rachel. I have my son Paul and his wife Helen (and their sons, Austin and Nick). Helen took me to the airport and wished me safe journey. Paul picked me up at the airport on my return and welcomed me home. I have my son Luke and his wife Kim (and their children, Ethan and Eleni). Paul and Luke call frequently (and we text regularly). By the way, Luke had a scheduled check-up at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, AZ while I was away. No cancer! I have Katie and her husband Liam over in England and two beautiful great granddaughters. There is Matt and Emily and their two beautiful girls. I have siblings. I have very special friends. I’m am a fortunate father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, and friend.
Life tumbles in and it’s tough to handle. But life goes on even at the age of 82. As the great philosopher, Dr. Seuss, says: “Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.” He goes on to say: “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go…”
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