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I posted in GD about the unexpected sudden death of my ex-father-in-law last Saturday, and how he had been a warrior for our side - a brilliant professor (one of those) who was an early critic of the Vietnam War and agreed, despite all he had seen over his long and productive life, that W. is the worst president in U.S. history and a clear and present danger. We had remained good friends and in touch since I split up with his daughter 12 years ago, and I traveled out of state to see him (last fall was the last time). Family like that can't end through divorce. My daughter, his granddaughter, called me today. His memorial service was yesterday, and his wife of 60 years who had Alzheimer's and was placed by him with great reluctance in a home last fall - died last night. Also unexpectedly. With her family, some of which had come halfway around the world to be there for their father, having been with her. Now another funeral will be held, but there is a great tenderness to this sadness. Neither knew the other had gone. Family is convinced that she, who had raised so many kids and was brilliant and accomplished in her own right, felt that with everyone about her, it was the right time to go. (She never did want to put anybody to any inconvenience). I know this happens so often, but still it's a beautiful thing - 60 years of marriage and die four days apart without knowing the other had gone. There are worse ways to go, my friends.
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