This past Saturday at 3:25 PM, my wife of over 46 years, Marcia, passed away. A severe stomach flu with lots of vomiting and diarrhea led to cardiac arrest, sepsis and organ shutdown. I and all our three children were with her for her final breaths in the Intensive Care Unit.
Our hearts and heads are reeling and trying to deal with our lives turned upside down in less than 24 hours.
Throughout my professional life and career, whenever there was a disruptive setback or bump in the road (sudden cutback in my contract hours and income on which I depended; loss of an important contract etc.), it has always opened up new opportunities and even a better future. New creative ideas, new career directions, new and better income potential have blossomed.
In my personal and family life, I have experienced the same phenomenon, but never to the depth and degree of disruption as this loss. I know however, that as I work through my acute grief and it runs its natural and painful course, that there will be that same hopeful outcome eventually.
So I am and will be OK. I have spectacular children and we are mutually supporting each other through our loss of a wife, mother and grandmother. We are planning celebrations of life for Marcia who was an attractive, vibrant, energetic, life of the party woman who drew people to her…….or at least she drew me to her over 50 years ago.
We had a fabulous last month together that included three weeks of fascinating, fun and memorable travel to the Masai Mara, Nairobi and Mombasa in Kenya and Istanbul, Turkey; and a full family birthday celebration for our youngest daughter one week before she was gone. I was planning to tell you about that trip, and I will, another time.
Another time….
| Marcia and a Masai man |
| In a balloon over the Masai Mara, Kenya |
| Istanbul, Turkey |
| Istanbul, Turkey – Good-bye |