We received sudden news this weekend that my Uncle Bud was heading into hospice.He's at the front right of this picture, taken in Oregon last August. Serendipity allowed my mom's two sisters and their husbands to join us at a B&B on the coast. When I posted this photo of our four men to Facebook, Bud commented "Four jolly gentlemen, all doing their own thing."
In some ways, our family branched early into two ways of doing things. My Aunt Carole married Bud and they moved away from Denver, had four children, became their own nucleus. My mom and my Aunt Karen stayed nearer my grandparents for many years, so we tended to have our own family gatherings. But we got together from time to time.
Now we know that this occasion, precipitated by the wedding of my cousin, Bud's grandson, will be the last for this particular group.
My mom said that Bud has been a part of her life since she was nine years old. My cousin, Bud's oldest daughter, said that we've had him as a part of our lives for 82 1/2 years. However you slice it, this marks the end of an era in our family. The decision not to try to halt the sudden and aggressive cancer with extreme measures wasn't easy for them, but he's surrounded by family and the stories he loved.
So, this is a celebration of a good life drawing to a close. W.L Rusho, author and lover of the wilderness, may you move on to greater things.
I'm including here a wonderful poem from a longtime family friend.
The Great Return
May you have the joy of rising waters
May the awe of ages surround you
May your feet sound soft upon the land
May the sweep of Nankoweep embrace you
May the Great Blue Heron stand upon her bar for you
And the Father of all mountain sheep stand vigilant on his loft
May you run the River true and hoot upon the waves
May you, your family, your friends pass through
And return home, home, and home again.
~Justice Greg Hobbs,
Colorado Supreme Court
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I had an Uncle Bud! He was on my dad's side and he could talk your ear off and had glasses as thick as the bottom of a Coke bottle. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's sad to see the family change like that. I've lost uncles and aunts over the last few years and it's hard to see them go.
Blessed be your Uncle Bud, Jeffe and everyone who loves him.
ReplyDeleteHow funny, Michelle. My Uncle Bud can talk your ear off, too. It is sad to see the family change. Part of life, I suppose.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Marcella - that was beautifully put.
My thoughts are with your family, Jeffe.
ReplyDeleteHugs. My thoughts are with you and your family.
ReplyDeleteAww. *Hugs* All families evolve. In some ways it's sad, in others it's a joy -- change brings both.
ReplyDeleteI can't say enough good things about Hospice. When my BIL died, in his late forties, after an intense struggle with with cancer, Hospice was truly blessing for the whole family.
I'm so sorry - I can't ever think of words for losses and sorry seems so inadequate. But what a spine tinglingly beautiful poem that is. Reminds me of Tennyson, and Crossing the Bar:
ReplyDeleteSunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea.
But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home!
Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;
For though from out our bourn of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crost the bar.
Thank you Danica and Alayna - we appreciate the good thoughts.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda, and you're so right. Hospice is a wonderful boon. Where he is sounds just lovely.
I've always loved that one, too, Kerry - thanks for adding it here!
my thoughts are with you and your family!
ReplyDeleteWhenever I hear about an ending it reminds me of the poem by Frost. Nothing Gold Can Stay. It seems so fitting.
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