Dealing with it all

As you may know if you've been through the challenges of the death of a parent, making arrangements to move the surviving parent, sort through all their STUFF, etc., etc.; it doesn't leave much time for grieving.

I feel that I've been on a different planet since Sept.11 when dad died. First, dealing with preparations for the funeral, then the visitation and funeral itself, a family dinner for 21 or so relatives, then staying on with mom and my sister, and on and on. Sudden death means a loved one gets to clean up your desk...and workshop... and clothes...and books, food, garden furniture...all that stuff we accumulate over a lifetime.

And it has not been all gloomy. Two weeks ago our son got engaged; and on Oct.17th our bookstore celebrated its 25th anniversary, with loads of long-term customers and several former staff. But we also got hit with the news that my mother-in-law, who has lived in a retirement home here in Waterloo for the past 3 years, has an inoperable cancer on her spine. Life is a roller coaster!

Mom is now living in Queenston Manor in Niagara Falls, near my sister, and this past Sunday (Oct.26) I drove to Sudbury with a friend (and his fabulous truck and 28-foot trailer) to pick up her furniture. This went fairly quickly, though it felt strange to be in their home with neither mom or dad there. We were also moving some couches, the paddle boat, etc. to our cottage near Parry Sound and had to be there for Tuesday when new windows were being installed (see photo). Unfortunately my immune system cracked under the stress, and I got a cold on Monday which forced me to 'lay over' an extra night at the cottage. All the heavy lifting of couches and windows didn't help.

So, I'm back in Waterloo, having driven my parents' RV here, which my son-in-law will use for his drumming and carving business. And we will complete the move for mom on Sunday (All Saints Day, right?). Hopefully this cold will be gone by then. And I've booked an appointment with a therapist.