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| tiggerGlasgow |
on Wed 1 Jul 09, 6:31 AM to tiggerGlasgow's blog.
Well at least not in our hearts. Sadly in this world they do die. There was little pain and there was even less suffering as the old soldier in question passed away suddenly during a walk in the park.
A no-relation-but-family uncle who meant a lot to me is gone and I'm still in shock. The funeral is Friday and I know that I will feel physically ill, I always do at funerals these days and have done ever since my Dad died. But I'll pop the anti-nausea medication and stick the travel sickness bands on to help stop me feeling as sick and go to this one. I'll pay my respects to him and try and afford what comfort I can to his widow and his children who are both far older than I. Then I will charge my glass and make a toast to this and many other absent friends.
When the funeral is done I will do what I do in memory of people. I will fill a glass with wine or whisky or something and let it evaporate. It will sit, untouched until there's the merest trace of liquid left. I will let my grief evaporate with that libation to the departed. It's times like these I find that I cannot be an atheist through and through. It's times like these I need there to be an afterlife, even if it isn't the Christian heaven or any other religion's idea of it. I need there to be a continuation for those I love. Though for him there will be a continuation of sorts as he was an organ donor, even his death has the potential to help others. It is some comfort, but it is cold comfort, to those of us who miss him.
Old soldiers never die, as long as we remember them.
To absent friends.
| 1 Jul 09, 12:20 PM cuddlybeth UK, 6 yrs |
what a beautiful piece of writing my condolences go with you on Friday wish I could give you a hug but will do when next I see you. |
| 1 Jul 09, 2:48 PM bondagekitten UK(G), 6 yrs |
hugs I'm sorry for your loss |
| 1 Jul 09, 5:00 PM Jahc99 UK, 5 yrs |
Beautifully written. This being the anniversary of the senseless slaughter at the Somme, I have been thinking a lot of my grandfather - a gentle soul who was an excellent painter of watercolour landscapes, a great believer in the goodness in men, blown up and left shell shocked. Parkinson's took him in the end, which he took bravely too, but we must not forget what those people went through, or why. Dulce et decorum est? Why poison your liver when I could eat it for you? |
| 1 Jul 09, 6:52 PM skyfox UK(EH), 5 yrs  |
What a beautiful libation. Rather similar to how the Chinese leave out food for the ghosts. Something quite appropriate in leaving a glass of spirits out in memory, and so much cleaner than pouring it on the ground.
Who says aethists can't be spiritual? hugs The only thing we have to fear is fear itself. |
| 1 Jul 09, 10:27 PM tiggerGlasgow UK(EH), 6 yrs |
Thank you for all the kind replies and words of sympathy and empathy.
"A life without pain has no meaning" Athrur Schopenhauer |
