Sunday, November 13, 2022
Barry, Kevin, Vanessa and Michelle: You were all once part of the NL diaspora. So you know how conflicting it is whenever a family member dies back home and circumstances keeps us from being where we long to be - namely with you. You and your families are most acutely impacted by the bodily death of your father. The mystery of death defies a verbal explanation. But by talking we can share and shoulder the emotional pain death inflicts upon us. It is helpful to talk about our gratitude in the throes of our grief. To his family of origin his name is “Edward”. But to me, his name is “Ed” because that is how Shirley introduced him to her family. Ed’s living and dying are now completed. That hurts. It is heart breaking. Also as long as he lived, he was a visible tie binding our hearts in love to Shirley. That visible tie is now gone. So we have much to grieve. Yet we have much for which to be grateful and grateful we must be. For gratitude is the antidote to grief. So something I am grateful for: Ed - young, single, and a radio operator student - drove a light blue 1958 Chevrolet BelAir(?). Boy! Was he ever timid pushing down on the gas pedal. He was tall, lanky and shy. Surprisingly, in short order, he eased into a serious relationship with Shirley. Her family unanimously endorsed him as worthy of their trust in him to be deserving of Shirley’s love for him. Their trust was well founded. Ed provided unwaveringly for her stability, security and well being. He nurtured her with gentleness, patience, dignity, respect … Ed proved to be the epitome of a virtuous husband and son/brother-in-law. We are also grateful for the passion and partiality he displayed toward Mother Earth through his fishing, hunting, bird watching and hiking. Through his living, he showed the world what was good to do. So grieve, but be grateful.
