Wednesday 14 November 2018

The dead in my head

A funny thing happens to our relationship with people who have left this dimension: like Vonnegut’s Billy Pilgrim, they become unstuck in time. At least, that is how I experience it.

I noticed it first with my father. I have led a lucky life in many ways, and had good parents. 
I got to keep them for a long time too. Dad died in 2000, age 84.  He was in full possession of his mind till the very end,  but in his last few years his personality had suffered a bit. The ability to always see the other side of an issue, so typical of his charming Libra nature, was turning into a peevish contrariness. He was no longer quite the tolerant intellectual who instilled a deep respect for universal human rights in his children. 

Once he was gone my memory mind reconstituted him in the fullness of his life, not as the diminished version of his final years. It did the same with Mom, who was predeceased by much of her mind by the time she left here 9 years later, aged 93. 

And now, almost 6 months ago already, my husband of 53 years has joined them. The same process happened here. Mostly gone is the suffering and senile patient of the last years. I remember that time, of course. But when an association pops up that would have had us smile together about a shared memory, the version of Chris who shows up is the one that was present when that memory was made. 

My dead are much with me as I go through the days. Not in a grief stricken or morbid way, just as company in my head, popping up as things remind me of them. They are getting more numerous. A special friend who we knew from way back in the Netherlands and who moved to Calgary 4 weeks after we did died a few months ago. 

And so it goes. Sooner or later the presence of the dead will outnumber the living. I imagine that by that time it will seem the most natural thing to let go of this world and go wherever it is that the dead in our head have gone. 

NOT YET!

The dead in my head are a treasure of memory that enriches the  present. I am in no hurry to join them. I feel fine, live surrounded by natural beauty and a good community, and am enjoying every blessed day I am granted.





5 comments:

  1. Wonderful blog. The dead in my head seems to be most dominated by the most recent. The one with the best lines. We had so many inside jokes and they are there every time I encounter one of those cues from the sidelines. My father also comes in play a lot because of his natural wit, his great stories, and all the lessons on do it yourself projects.

    But when a crisis presents itself in my life as it did recently with my sister's diagnosis I find I group together all the goodbyes. I am not fond of goodbyes.

    The it is Butch and Sundance. Friends used to compare Marc and I to those two with the droll humor. I go back to Sundance saying he cannot swim and Butch saying, "Hell, you will probably die in the fall."

    Maybe you have kinder ghosts.

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  2. Thank you. Yes, my ghosts so far have been kind.

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  3. Replies
    1. Thanks for reading. Tis the season to be blogging!

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  4. Good Day! I recently discovered your blog while reading your post about visiting your property. I related to that post as I was able to visit and say farewell is 2 small acreage in OR and to 50 years living in OR. Memories and visual recalls are precious! This brings me to this post. Many memories and gratitude to
    I friends and family who have passed on before me. I have been able to gain insight to the unique persons they were and that has given comfort and entertainment. Often bringing a smile and warm heart.

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