Tuesday, August 9, 2011

So Little Remains of a Life Lived Full

Whenever I see an abandoned cabin or old house...there is always a thought that occurs to me...So little remains of a life lived full.

My father passed away a little over a month and half ago. For the past two weeks I have been dealing with the things that he left behind. Moving his furniture, going through his personal effects and cleaning his apartment. As I put the key in the lock for the last time, I surveyed the empty space once so full of my dad's voice, his laughter, his stories, his advice, his wisdom...now gone - forever. Again even more clearly than ever before I had that same thought...So little remains of a life lived full.

I cried, shut and locked the door and left with a sense of numbness and abandonment.

Dan



20 comments:

shabby girl said...

Oh, Dan! My heart is breaking for you! I, also, was the one that had to shut it all down. I remember crying, and thinking, looking at the pile of her life, how it all comes down to this. Everything in the world that was important to her and what's to be done with it.
God bless you, Dan, and your family. Certainly, your Dad is blessed on the other side, and smiling at his wonderful son.

Liz said...

Dan, I'm so sorry for your loss. I have no idea how I will get through when my time comes to mourn the loss of the people that gave life to me. Dr Suess says, "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened".
I'm sure that memories of your Dad will once again bring smiles and loving thoughts soon..
Lizzie
xxx

Heather said...

I understand, Dan. Would you believe that, even though my dad is still living in my childhood home, I've not been there very often since my mom has passed. I feel shame in writing that, but it's so difficult and I have to be in the right strength of mind when I go. So much is still exactly how she left it, because he wanted it that way. So often, I think that I need to go begin the cleaning out - but I don't want to let go of so much, I'm not ready to take her things - the things that she loved and touched and treasured - and just give them another home, yet.

Love goes to you from miles away, Dan. You and I and so many others know that time will heal the loss but will never replace the memories and the love.

Grieving is such a lengthy process. Even though we know that they're in a place of pure, loving, freedom....it's so difficult on some day's to live in this world without them.

jand44 said...

Dan, I am so sorry for your loss, and that feeling that comes with dealing with the "things"...but remember that they are not the important "stuff" of life...family and friends are. Namaste.

Sunny said...

Hi Dan,
I'm so terribly sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. It's a difficult time that I know of first hand. My deepest sympathy to you and your family.
Sorry I've not been around much lately (it's a long story!).
I look forward to getting caught up with your postings.
☼ Sunny

DawnTreader said...

It is a hard task, going through the things of people who have left this life. For me and my brother though, it's more sort of "so much remains..." (a whole house full) But I still get what you mean! ♥

Sara said...

Hi Dan,

I just popped in to see what you were up to and read this sad but beautiful post. I'm so sorry for your loss, and hope that with the passing of time your pain will ease.
Sara

Cynthia L. H. said...

Dan,
I am so very sorry for your loss.
Sending prayers your way.
Cynthia

Sabrina said...

DAN! He is not gone forever by any means. Not only has he left an amazing legacy, he has planted seeds in your heart. You are a blessing and I'm sure he had something to do with that. Plus your Dad didn't cease to be, he's waiting for you in Heaven. It's mysterious but we can trust what the Bible tells us about that. He is receiving his reward for his faithfulness to you and others. And don't feel abandoned, that's just a lie from the enemy. Jesus said he will never leave you or forsake you. We love you, Sabrina

mackey said...

Dan, my loss too. Where will we receive our wisdom now? Who will trust us with his new fishing pole?
We broke it.
Who will let us take his truck to Fl.?
We broke it.
Who would only shake his head and say, when you have one kid you've got something, when you have two, you've got nothing, when we planted all his fence posts upside down.
words of wisdom: I've been down that road before--It's hotter in the country than it is in the summer--throw the cow over the fence,some hay.
Even though we thought your dad was one of the smartest men we ever knew, he never learned his lesson when it came to trusting us;
Or maybe he knew the only way we would learn is to live our mistakes.
I miss him too.

Lynda Lehmann said...

Aw, Dan, I'm so sorry for your loss. Your post is so poignant and well written, it really made me feel your pain. What can I say, except to remind you that time will heal you?

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