A BLUR TO ME April 4-20, 2013

Guess this title says it all....the next two weeks of our life were such an emotional heartache and a blur of days, as I think back to it all. We did get to Harry's late on Thursday afternoon. He was sitting in the living room but it was easy to see that he was growing weaker and weaker as the lung cancer took over his body.  Mom had passed away March 14th and it was shortly after that when Harry had a biopsy showing Stage IV lung cancer. With the disease so advanced he chose to call on Hospice rather than turning to chemotherapy or radiation.  As he told us all, he wanted as many good days as he could, not just more days.

Friday my nephew, Harry III, was with us bringing his upbeat personality and humor to help brighten such a sad time for him and all of us.


 Later that afternoon, Harry's daughters, Denise and Rachele, arrived from California with their daughters, Paige and Anna.

Denise, Anna, Rachele, Paige

Friday we were invited to an evening of music and food in Harry's honor at his friend John's house.  Such a wonderful event with a special guest performer, the composer of many John Denver songs from years ago.

My brother Kurt flew in on Sunday and we all sat together with Harry that day sharing stories and talking. It was 2AM that early Monday morning when I got a call that my brother, Harry, had passed away quietly in his sleep.  So quickly gone. And all along I had thought we'd have several months together, not just 4 days. 

I was stunned, but the week was only beginning...the following day, Tuesday, April 9th, was my Mom's Memorial in Petaluma, CA.  So, Paul and I flew out from Tucson later that Monday afternoon for the next 2 days.  We had a lovely graveside service for Mom with the beautiful blue skies of Sebastopol over head. Sadly I said good bye to my sweet and wonderful Mom, such a beautiful and amazing woman. We honored her with our memories, her favorite songs and a cup of hot tea and cookies. 

We returned to Green Valley Thursday for Harry's Memorial in his home on Saturday, April 13th. Surrounded by those who loved him, we shared his life in photos and music and memories. How I'll miss my big brother!