For those of you who don't know, my Dad passed away on Monday, August 24, 2020, at 9:20 p.m.
On Tuesday, we planned his preparation and graveside service with the funeral home.
Wednesday, August 26, was my 45th birthday. I spent it with the family planning the graveside service with the pastor and picking Dad's burial plot.
Yesterday was the private viewing. My uncle and I went. The funeral home did a fine job, although I'd say that was the hardest part and the most shocking for me.
This morning we laid him to rest. It was a nice service, if a bit hot. That's South Carolina in late August for you. It was livestreamed and remains posted at https://www.facebook.com/MountTaborLutheranChurch/videos/234315434555866/.
Now what?
That's the real question, and yet the answer is obvious. Dad even gave it to me before he passed. The whole time he was battling the lung cancer, from his diagnosis on May 21 until the last time we talked on Sunday, he always asked me what I was working on and told me to "do good work." One thing he was a big believer in is purpose. You need to serve others and the world.
And so, I shall. I'll be logged back in the day job Monday, and I'll resume writing very soon as well. That has stalled out this month, with his sudden and swift decline. I did some writing in August, but not nearly as much as usual. That will surely change. He would want it to. He'd want me back to my day job, writing The Sentience Series, and doing book reviews. I want to get back to it, too. I do miss day to day life. It won't be the same without him, but I'll find a way. I have to.
I am aware that there will be grief to deal with. I already have, in fact, I believe I started when he was diagnosed and really got knocked back when they started talking hospice on August 12. It's a process. I've experienced it before, but this is the first time with the loss of a parent, so I realize I'm in uncharted territory. All I can do is pray for wisdom and strength, and take it a day at a time.
Now what? I think that's the natural question after a funeral. And the answer is: keep on, and never give up. Life goes on, and you're still part of it. So be part of it.
That's all today. Have a happy Friday and a wonderful weekend.
Bye!
On Tuesday, we planned his preparation and graveside service with the funeral home.
Wednesday, August 26, was my 45th birthday. I spent it with the family planning the graveside service with the pastor and picking Dad's burial plot.
Yesterday was the private viewing. My uncle and I went. The funeral home did a fine job, although I'd say that was the hardest part and the most shocking for me.
This morning we laid him to rest. It was a nice service, if a bit hot. That's South Carolina in late August for you. It was livestreamed and remains posted at https://www.facebook.com/MountTaborLutheranChurch/videos/234315434555866/.
Now what?
That's the real question, and yet the answer is obvious. Dad even gave it to me before he passed. The whole time he was battling the lung cancer, from his diagnosis on May 21 until the last time we talked on Sunday, he always asked me what I was working on and told me to "do good work." One thing he was a big believer in is purpose. You need to serve others and the world.
And so, I shall. I'll be logged back in the day job Monday, and I'll resume writing very soon as well. That has stalled out this month, with his sudden and swift decline. I did some writing in August, but not nearly as much as usual. That will surely change. He would want it to. He'd want me back to my day job, writing The Sentience Series, and doing book reviews. I want to get back to it, too. I do miss day to day life. It won't be the same without him, but I'll find a way. I have to.
I am aware that there will be grief to deal with. I already have, in fact, I believe I started when he was diagnosed and really got knocked back when they started talking hospice on August 12. It's a process. I've experienced it before, but this is the first time with the loss of a parent, so I realize I'm in uncharted territory. All I can do is pray for wisdom and strength, and take it a day at a time.
Now what? I think that's the natural question after a funeral. And the answer is: keep on, and never give up. Life goes on, and you're still part of it. So be part of it.
That's all today. Have a happy Friday and a wonderful weekend.
Bye!
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