Working my way through the loss of my Dad

[NRaleighLiberal]

2. .

Boatloads of empathy coming my way to you. As 2014 starts, I was journaling today about 2013. My wife lost her mom in October - it wasn't all that sudden, but was far more of a family drama than was desired - she ended up somewhat estranged from her brother and sister (long, long story - my wife tried to be the "adult" in the room and kept her mom's best interests front and center, but the other two had their own agendas working). My wife lost 2 friends, and an older woman she was caretaker for, very close to the same time. Sue is an amazing woman - one of her current jobs is sewing memory quilts for families, ironically enough. It has been tough for me to watch her go through the dance of trying to stay connected with 2 people she loves, even as they all mourn the loss of their mom.

At the same time, my mom is nearing the end, in a nursing home in Florida - my brother is the nearby caretaker, and it has taken an awful toll on my relationship with him. We are heading south for a visit some time in the next few weeks. I dread it for many reasons, but it is an important trip as well.

Families are so complex...and loss so difficult.

here's to finding peace in the new year.