Well, that doesn't seem to be the PROPER thing to do while mourning! But I put PROPER aside way back in the '60's. Rocky made the observation about me once that I like challenges. Oh, not sky diving or getting a medical degree, but problem-solving or organizing or producing a new group, a new venue, a new story. Some fresh interest; some fresh insight; a new friendship. I think he was right.
But I do have a background in social work so I realize that taking care of myself now involves expressing all the emotions I currently have and not allowing new challenges to distract me. I am choosing no time table and making no big decisions. And no obligations other than feed my pets and pay my bills. I want to have plenty of time available to deal with the grief that I feel and will continue to feel for awhile.
Writing in the Caring Bridge journal was very therapeutic for me, but I am finished there for now. This Blog and my own personal Journal (the one on my word processor that no one else sees) become my current writing outlets.
However, I feel there are some loose ends to be tied up before this Blog will feel complete for me. And those loose ends involve some pictures, so let's see if I can upload them into the blog and not have to put them in a side-bar.
Of course, Rocky's illness and death account for much of the time away from this Blog, but during that time and especially in May after his death, Castle Yonder and I had several visitors. The first was my niece, Rosalie from Ohio, and her daughter, my Great-Niece Annette from Michigan who came to visit the last weekend of April.
Rosalie and Annette
April 25, 2010
On May 5, Rocky's son, Geoffrey, arrived from Georgia and stayed through May 23. Here he is with his son, our grandson, Christopher who is all dressed up due to a concert in Lynchburg, VA that Geoff and I took time out to attend.
Geoff and Christopher
May 21, 2010
Our grandaughter, Jessica, was there also sitting next to me and in my thoughtless state of mind I didn't turn and snap a pic of her!
Of course, the Celebration Of Rocky's Life (in lieu of a funeral) brought several of our family members from Ohio, North Carolina, South Carolina, Boston and Philadelphia. I don't have a lot of pictures yet as I took very few that day. Here are my two sons, Alan and Eric, flanking my nephew-in-law, Leslie.
From left, Alan from Philadelphia;
Leslie from near Toledo; and
Eric from Boston
May 23, 2010
Me with my nephew, Marv, who is from North Carolina.
Marv had a stroke about 3 years ago which has
very much altered his life as a successful businessman.
My son-in-law, Armas, and son, Alan.
May 23, 2010
I just realized that these photos that I did take are all of males! Hmmmmm!
There were a lot of female worker bees keeping the hors d'ouvres and punch flowing from the kitchen out to the carport where the tables were set up. They also prettied Castle Yonder up by supplying their own garden flowers for flower arrangements. My best friends, Jean and Molly, and my niece, Rosalie,
did most of the work. Molly also constructed a Power Point presentation of Rocky's life in old photographs that could be viewed in the carport. Her husband, Wayne, transported guests from the parking lot of the church one mile away from us back and forth on our one-lane curvy road leading to CY.
There's no picture here of my grandaughter, Jessica, although I did see some that were taken by Alan on his Flip video camera. He left them for me on my computer's desktop but I haven't taken the time to import them into my photo software so I can access them singly.
My VASA friend, Norris, from Virginia Beach drove over for the Celebration and then stayed on with me for a week. Here she is:
Norris at Castle Yonder, May 26, 2010
Norris is wonderfully easy to have as a house guest. One of my other friends calls her an "angel," since she goes where needed and is always ready to help. All of my friends, both male and female, have been angels for me and Geoff through these past two months. They are:
Jean, Molly, Rudy, Leigh Ann, Jack, Rosalie, Diana, Paul,
Organizations that fall into the "angel" category are first and foremost,
Wellmont Hospice House staff and Don McGregor, Bereavement Counselor
Susan Early, Social Worker, Bristol Regional Medical Center
J. R. Gilmer, Elder, Beulah Land Baptist Church
David Wilson, Director, Goosepimple Junction Adventure Camp
Pitching in to be part of the Celebration Of Rocky's Life Memorial service was
Leon Overbay, Isaac Freeman, Pat Musselman, Molly Catron, Paul Conco,
Bill Marburg, Tineke Labrie
And then, how interesting LIFE works out. My best friend from Garrett, IN high school, Sue and her husband, Wayne, were attending a conference in Knoxville and drove two hours north to Bristol to spend just about two hours visiting me on May 25 and then they drove two hours back to Knoxville. How sweet it is, and here they are:
Sue and Wayne at Castle Yonder
May 25, 2010
Attendees at the Celebration said they felt like Rocky's spirit was all around Castle Yonder during the day. I think he visited us the next day, too!
Rainbow Over Castle Yonder, May 24, 2010
"Until we meet again, Rocky!"
Mimi
