I was a nurse for over 30 years. I’ve lost count of the number of deaths I attended — either as a hand holder or a chest pumper. Death never really bothered me — I knew that was where my mom was — so it wasn’t too scary. But the circus that was my mother’s & my grandmother’s funerals were very traumatic to me. At one point, my aunt attempted to climb into the coffin & had to be removed by two of my uncles. My daughter did a fabulous job with her dad’s memorial. We remembered his life, not his struggles. And that was just how he would have wanted it — how we all want to be remembered.

Thank you, as always, for your support. I’m so glad you enjoyed the piece. And you are 100% correct — grief is part of life. It’s taken me over 60 years to figure out the load is lighter if it’s shared. ❤