Paddled Away. . .

I woke this morning to the news thata dear friend passed away yesterday afternoon, only hours after Pater visited him in palliative care and less than three weeks after he was diagnosed with cancer, less than a month after he’d experienced symptoms.

I mentioned my friend here a few months ago when I recognized, on the blog A Cup of Jo, a painting based on a photograph of his  Mark was modest, but not surprised really, when I told him — he already knew that his influence as a photographer was widely felt.

I hope he knew how widely his influence was felt as a friend. He was a good one. He will be so much missed by so many. And for the rest of the week, I think, I’m going to close the blog and take some time just to mourn his loss and think and feel its repercussions. We’re getting ready for a GrandBaby who’s already a week overdue, so we’re in an emotional space throbbing right now with sadness and joyful anticipation. Seems time for gathering in. Hug your loved ones. Be sure you’re spending your life as best you can. . .

17 Comments

  1. Patricia
    3 March 2015 / 3:11 pm

    Sincere condolences on the loss of your friend Mater. I had a look at your link – it's so sad how quickly his illness progressed, you must all be in shock.

  2. Susan B
    3 March 2015 / 5:04 pm

    My deepest sympathies on the loss of your friend. Take care of yourselves.

  3. Elle
    3 March 2015 / 6:36 pm

    Grieving needs its own time….

  4. Madame Là-bas
    3 March 2015 / 7:42 pm

    I'm sorry to hear about your friend. Take care.

  5. Beth
    3 March 2015 / 8:03 pm

    I'm sorry – that's very hard. Give yourself the time you need.

  6. Tiffany
    3 March 2015 / 9:09 pm

    So sorry to hear about your friend. I hope the new grandbaby will bring some joy as you nurture your memories – such a reminder of the cycle …

  7. Marie
    3 March 2015 / 9:16 pm

    I'm so sorry you've lost a friend, and so suddenly. You've had a bad year for losses. I hope that the baby comes soon.

  8. annie
    3 March 2015 / 9:35 pm

    Hunker down, light the fires and have early nights. Soon Spring – and the new baby – will be here to help us remember that all darkness fades and light takes its place.
    Will remember to make sure I live my life as well as I can in coming days…

  9. Duchesse
    3 March 2015 / 11:04 pm

    Compassionate resonance with your post… time to be, await, remember.

  10. Anonymous
    3 March 2015 / 11:53 pm

    I am at my father's house trying to decide what to keep and what not to keep after his death last fall. I have realized that I never gave myself time to mourn properly, so please take your time. Those who mean a lot to us deserve it.
    Lynn

  11. hostess of the humble bungalow
    3 March 2015 / 11:55 pm

    Time to reflect and just be in the moment….thinking of you.

  12. LPC
    4 March 2015 / 2:38 am

    Oh my gosh. So fast. So hard to process. Big hug to you and yours.

  13. Eleonore
    4 March 2015 / 9:07 am

    Dear Mater, what a shock! I am terribly sorry for you. You are quite right to close down the blog for the moment. To every thing there is a season – and if this is the time to mourn, take yourself all the time you need.

  14. Annie Cholewa
    4 March 2015 / 10:40 am

    Life is just tough sometimes. Hugs x

  15. ilona
    5 March 2015 / 1:48 pm

    A loss such as this touches so many lives – yours because he was your friend and ours because he was your friend. Hugs and kindly thoughts.

  16. Pondside
    7 March 2015 / 3:13 am

    Thinking of you.

  17. Mardel
    9 March 2015 / 12:55 am

    So sorry…..

Copyright

Unless otherwise stated, all words and photographs in this blog are my own. If you wish to use any of them, please give me credit for my work. And it should go without saying, but apparently needs to be said: Do not publish entire posts as your own. I will take the necessary action to stop such theft. Thanks.