by goodbye, Uncle T
Yesterday, my cousin A phoned to let us know that her father, my uncle on my mother’s side, passed away. He’d turned 84 only a week earlier, so T lived a long life. A good man, T was my favourite uncle, only partly because he was fairly constant in my life especially in my childhood, unlike others whom I saw rarely because of distance. Led by my father, his best friend, he was one of several family members who emigrated together from Finland to Canada, so many years ago.
We’re so grateful that we were able to see him and Aunt K. at the end of September.Though his passing came sooner than one is ever ready for, it wasn’t totally unexpected. I feel a deep sense of loss, while memories of many many happy times flash by like a flickering old home movie, even disturbing my sleep. The grief is compounded by triggered recollections of past losses of our parents and other loved ones. I suppose it’s also a realization of one’s own aging and mortality. Nothing new, ever present in us all, but emerging from the recesses of our minds at times like this.
I also felt very odd when I realized that I had posted this entry two or three hours before Uncle T. left this world.
Hyvästit, rakas eno!
