We headed to Valley Forge National Historical Park for a quick walk this afternoon. A chill wind was blowing, but the day was dry, sky decorated with layers of clouds.
...a late season wild rose, captured along the eastern edge of the Schoodic Peninsula in Acadia National Park at the end of October.
It almost seems as if someone painted these rocks. I love the clear separation of color in the rock above the water on the right side - the soft reddish shade of the top separated by a strong black line from a deep rust color of the bottom.
It is a sad time, it's also a time to learn to move on with life while keeping memories of good times and bad.
There were times when it was hard to stop the tears during the last several weeks. My eyes are dry now but I suspect that tears will return at some point. For now I need to pull memories forward and to know that Dad is out of pain, at peace, and hanging with his son, my brother Neal.
Dad touched many people, family members, friends and colleagues through his work in the glass industry. For a tribute, a few stories from his years in the glass industry, see the article Industry icon Eddie Goldberg passes away.
It's too early for snow. The calendar hasn't turned to December and the winter solstice is still over three weeks away yet wet clumps of snow are falling and clinging to tree branches. I thought the arrival of the season was supposed to lag the solstice; apparently the weather wizard has different thoughts today.
an open letter to my dad...
It's the end of a life, the end of an era, the end of a partnership (a marriage of 61 years).
You have left many people behind, people who are very sad. You also left Bailey, your 4-legged pal. I suspect that Bailey's feelings of loss will be harder to deal with than ours. I'm so sorry that you're gone, but at the same time I feel a sense of relief that you are out of pain and at peace.
Dad, we'll carry a piece of you in our hearts forever.
It's been a long time since my dad was himself, just over 3 weeks since his surgery. I asked for your healing wishes a week ago, and I thank each one of you who joined your wishes with those of my family.
It feels like we are on a bit of a roller-coaster ride. There have been ups and downs, improvements and setbacks. His white blood cell count was very high last week, it dropped, dropped some more, then went up again. It is still well below last week's high but the change in an upward direction feels scary to me.
He is fighting two serious infections yet we hold on to hope - hope that he wins the battle against infection, and hope that his body recovers its normal behaviors. Please keep your good wishes flowing to him.
People watching in Central Park... a man holding sticks joined by a loop of string, creating big bubbles.
I'd like to believe that thoughts and good wishes can help in healing. Whether that is true or not, I'm asking for you to send your thoughts to my father. He had (successful) surgery just over two weeks ago. Unfortunately his body has been hit by pneumonia plus an additional very serious infection; he is currently in critical condition.
Do you believe in the power of thought? Please add your healing wishes to those of my family.
Photos from my wanders at Acadia are loaded into galleries, ready for viewing. Start with the top level gallery, Acadia, October 2012, or click on the photos below to enter a specific gallery.
looping Acadia:
Jordan Pond (in Acadia National Park) is a favorite spot for a bit of camera play. I was fascinated with the differences day-to-day, especially switching from a cloudy, foggy, rainy day to a blue skies decorated with white clouds day.
I like being able to see the scenery that was hidden behind the fog.
