Labyrinth of Loss

My final visit to see my Uncle Bill this year.

Your dear loved one's death is heart-rending.
Treasured deep connection is ending.
Take time to reflect,
Memories collect.
Sorrow and joyful times, now blending.

You know the labyrinth of loss?

I am feeling sad.
My uncle, Bill McLaughlin died this week.
Bill was nine years older than I,
Ninety-five at his death.

Truth be told,
I have had a "crush" on Bill
Ever since I remember
Being around him.

Bill’s health was gone.
His life's quality had disappeared.

Still, my heart hurts to know that
I won't get to visit with Bill again.

Bill was one of my dad's younger brothers
From a family of ten kids.
As an adult, Bill had amazing capacity
To be current on news of extended family members.
He had memories and dates of events in his
Family-of-origin, The McLaughlins.

His amazing memory gave rise to
Shared stories from all parts of Bill's life.
Listening to him was story-time "Gold.”

My contacts with Bill let me
Know him as resourceful, diligent,
Kind and caring.

When I was twelve years old,
Bill and his younger brother, Laurie,
Took me with them on a
Hiking trip into Big Horn Mountains
To climb Clouds Peak.

We slept in bed rolls on the ground,
(Olden days... no sleeping bags).
Fished for that part of our nightly meal.
Cans of beans were our other food.

Never combed our hair over those twelve days,
All laughed hilariously at the
Sounds of burps and farts created by all those beans.

It was pure heaven for me.
Nearly teenager with my two young uncles
On this fabulous trip in the Big Horn Mountains.

In my later life, I learned that
I was the only grandchild  (and there were thirty-one or two)
Who got to have that particular adventure—
Walking a faint trail, beside one packhorse,
Being treated with an attitude of
"Of course you can do this" meant
Of course I did it.

Such a gift to me.
I have been lucky to have that
Opportunity..

All this reminds me to
Tell those people you love
Exactly that.
"I love you.”
"I am glad you are in my life.”
"I treasure what we have shared.”

Together we are learning to
Navigate the labyrinth of loss.

Hugs, dear friend.
Lin