Thank you, Lakshmi. I thought I was completely recovered and then... around 3am today, I felt quite awful. When I woke at 8:30, I took a Covid test, and was sure I was positive. Endless gratitude that I am not!!! and I feel better than I did at 3am, but not quite right. So, alas, hopefully this only means I need to continue resting and recovering. Covid is relentless. Stay well!
I have paid more attention to All Saints and Day of the Dead since meeting you! I’m so thankful u are feeling better; what an ordeal. And as I type I realize I had a dream last night that you lost ur ticket to Italy last minute in an airport restaurant and could not go. I had a moment of panic where I wondered if it was real. Blessings, Jan. Be well.
My dad died in 2012 on Nov 6, the same date as your mom. Nov 6, 2012 was presidential Election Day in the States and he'd been planning to vote in person as usual, with my mom. His health was declining rapidly, however, so he agreed that I get him a last-minute absentee ballot on his behalf (thank you New Jersey for having such a procedure on place!).
He voted mid-afternoon, and transitioned in the evening on the same day.
I live in France where Nov 1 is also a national holiday. My daughter and I put flowers on the grave of her child-minder who died of cancer in 2022. I also appreciate the tradition that commemorates loved ones on the Day of the Dead, but I've never made an oftenda, I will need to do that!
Oh Lorraine, thank you so much for sharing. How wonderful that he was able to vote! I have seen time and again people hold on for something and then transition quickly after that.
Creating an ofrenda could become a beautiful tradition for you amd your daughter ❤️
Yes his hanging on to vote made a deep impression on our children who were teenagers at the time. I have also read many stories about people "waiting" to do something important to them, or to connect with someone important to them, before their death.
Yes! My father and mother taught me that how you die (in as much as you can control this) may be the best legacy you can leave. It is truly your last chance to demonstrate what you believe, what you care most about. I hope, if for no other reason than honoring your father, that your children are regular voters!
Hope you are on the mend. When my grandmother was dying in 1976 I remember being afraid to go to a Halloween party for fear she’d die in my absence. My mom told me that she didn’t think I needed to worry….nana wouldn’t die til 11/2 probably. She was too humble to die on All Saint’s Day, November. 1. True to form, and she was really religious, she died on November 2, the Feast of All Souls. They wit for us.
Oh wow!! I experienced that so many times when I was working in hospice. Your grandmother though, “too humble to die on All Saints Day” ! Beautiful. 🧡
My father died on Christmas morning. I absolutely believe he waited for that day. Religious like your nonna, “oh Jesus Christ, thy manger is my paradise.”
I've had enough near death experiences to not fear death.
It is a soft, warm, welcoming journey that I, to an extent, was sorry to have to return from.
As I held my dear father as he approached his transition, I was able to offer this comfort to him. He did his best to join me in the Lord's Prayer, and then we were both at peace.
What an honor to be with your father! I, too, was blessed with this and there is truly no other experience to compare. The grace and faith in which both of my parents faced death taught me so much.
I didn’t realize that you had experienced your own near deaths - or death and returns! I’m glad you’re here for now. 🧡
Thank you, Jan, for offering us a moment to stop and remember those we love who have moved on. My mother's date is approaching this weekend (it's been six years this November 12)--it was Veterans Day weekend that year (as is this year) and that was special to her, given that her husband, father, son, and daughter-in-law were/are all vets. I look for signs of her this time of year every year and saw a few yesterday, which was surprising and comforting. Our connection to the dead never ends, but it's especially important to have specific traditions and days dedicated to remembering and honoring them.
I hope you have recovered completely and feeling better now
Thank you, Lakshmi. I thought I was completely recovered and then... around 3am today, I felt quite awful. When I woke at 8:30, I took a Covid test, and was sure I was positive. Endless gratitude that I am not!!! and I feel better than I did at 3am, but not quite right. So, alas, hopefully this only means I need to continue resting and recovering. Covid is relentless. Stay well!
Take care.. yes its neve rending.. a lot of us are coughing every third day and fatigue is now a constant..
oh my goodness, is this you as well? So brutal! Honestly quite debilitating. :(
Am much better now but fatigued all the time .
Oh my. Me too. I have a quarter of my normal energy. I think I’m better and 2 days later I’m back in bed. 😔
Sigh .. well hoping we would get the energies back soon
I have paid more attention to All Saints and Day of the Dead since meeting you! I’m so thankful u are feeling better; what an ordeal. And as I type I realize I had a dream last night that you lost ur ticket to Italy last minute in an airport restaurant and could not go. I had a moment of panic where I wondered if it was real. Blessings, Jan. Be well.
Oh my! That makes me panic just hearing about your dream!! (And I wonder what it means for you) 😉
And by the way the video and music moved me!!
Oh thank you, I’m glad to hear this.
Jan, your words and stories are rich memories for so many! Thank you for touching our soul.
Stay well and enjoy this new world you are experiencing. 💕 Pat McDonald
Thank you so much, Pat. 💗
My dad died in 2012 on Nov 6, the same date as your mom. Nov 6, 2012 was presidential Election Day in the States and he'd been planning to vote in person as usual, with my mom. His health was declining rapidly, however, so he agreed that I get him a last-minute absentee ballot on his behalf (thank you New Jersey for having such a procedure on place!).
He voted mid-afternoon, and transitioned in the evening on the same day.
I live in France where Nov 1 is also a national holiday. My daughter and I put flowers on the grave of her child-minder who died of cancer in 2022. I also appreciate the tradition that commemorates loved ones on the Day of the Dead, but I've never made an oftenda, I will need to do that!
Oh Lorraine, thank you so much for sharing. How wonderful that he was able to vote! I have seen time and again people hold on for something and then transition quickly after that.
Creating an ofrenda could become a beautiful tradition for you amd your daughter ❤️
Yes his hanging on to vote made a deep impression on our children who were teenagers at the time. I have also read many stories about people "waiting" to do something important to them, or to connect with someone important to them, before their death.
Yes! My father and mother taught me that how you die (in as much as you can control this) may be the best legacy you can leave. It is truly your last chance to demonstrate what you believe, what you care most about. I hope, if for no other reason than honoring your father, that your children are regular voters!
Yes our young adult children seem to be regular voters & I'm very grateful for that!
Hope you are on the mend. When my grandmother was dying in 1976 I remember being afraid to go to a Halloween party for fear she’d die in my absence. My mom told me that she didn’t think I needed to worry….nana wouldn’t die til 11/2 probably. She was too humble to die on All Saint’s Day, November. 1. True to form, and she was really religious, she died on November 2, the Feast of All Souls. They wit for us.
Oh wow!! I experienced that so many times when I was working in hospice. Your grandmother though, “too humble to die on All Saints Day” ! Beautiful. 🧡
My father died on Christmas morning. I absolutely believe he waited for that day. Religious like your nonna, “oh Jesus Christ, thy manger is my paradise.”
I've had enough near death experiences to not fear death.
It is a soft, warm, welcoming journey that I, to an extent, was sorry to have to return from.
As I held my dear father as he approached his transition, I was able to offer this comfort to him. He did his best to join me in the Lord's Prayer, and then we were both at peace.
What an honor to be with your father! I, too, was blessed with this and there is truly no other experience to compare. The grace and faith in which both of my parents faced death taught me so much.
I didn’t realize that you had experienced your own near deaths - or death and returns! I’m glad you’re here for now. 🧡
Beautiful piece, Jan. So gentle and peaceful. Thank you! Hope you are feeling restored and enjoying yourself! 💛
Thank you!
Thank you, Jan, for offering us a moment to stop and remember those we love who have moved on. My mother's date is approaching this weekend (it's been six years this November 12)--it was Veterans Day weekend that year (as is this year) and that was special to her, given that her husband, father, son, and daughter-in-law were/are all vets. I look for signs of her this time of year every year and saw a few yesterday, which was surprising and comforting. Our connection to the dead never ends, but it's especially important to have specific traditions and days dedicated to remembering and honoring them.
Happy Veterans Day (in advance). That was also my father's birthday, so I always acknowledge it as well.
Indeed, the connection never ends.