Comments on: The last day you do something

By: Suzanne Conboy-Hill

Suzanne Conboy-Hill — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 18:44:02 +0000

Cathryn, one of the things that makes whatever grace I have so much easier to express, is the support of friends such as you. Thank you

By: Cathryn Grant

Cathryn Grant — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 18:09:44 +0000

I’m so sorry for your loss, so soon. I’m in awe of your grace to express your experience with such perfection … so soon. Take care.

By: Suzanne Conboy-Hill

Suzanne Conboy-Hill — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 18:51:14 +0000

Dear me, Linda, what a few months this has been. Sometimes I don’t know how I write what I write, just that it seems to want to be written. Whatever I’ve learned about how to do that, it’s been through people like you sharing, writing, dissecting, and most of all, showing how to feel the words. We have a way to go on this particular journey but we will give it our all. Thank you for being here

By: Linda Cassidy Lewis

Linda Cassidy Lewis — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 18:06:01 +0000

Oh, Suzanne, I’m so sorry to hear this. Again you amaze me at how well you write such poignancy. I love the image of your parents’ symbolically standing side-by-side in a garden. My heart is with you.

By: Suzanne Conboy-Hill

Suzanne Conboy-Hill — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 13:36:20 +0000

I read a short story a while ago which was called ‘Deathday’. It was about how you never acknowledge your ‘deathday’ because, even though you pass it every year, you don’t know which it is. There’s something about that idea that feels like shifting sand in a sand dune – the surface looks the same but everything in its composition has changed. It made me think of all the other things that have unsung endings along the way.
Photos – yes, it’s been a very worthwhile exercise although the scanning is a little tedious! I still have bundles of albums to get through, and we’re about to reach the more embarrassing teenage years (for my sister and me) now. A bit of judicious censorship might be in order!

By: anaspanish

anaspanish — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 12:49:41 +0000

I think just the title of your piece of writing is heartbreaking for anyone who has experienced the loss of a parent or loved one.

It’s lovely that your mum had a chance to look at the photos and was something special for her I’m sure. And of course, sad and lovely for the rest of you to see those photos of her too…

I do like the idea of creating a virtual photo album for all relatives to share. I’m a bit of a luddite but I will try this myself.

By: Suzanne Conboy-Hill

Suzanne Conboy-Hill — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 11:20:49 +0000

Thank you. I do wonder what we did before blogs and Facebook – we have filled mum’s FB page with photos and she was looking at them all not long before she died, via the care home’s own page. And of course, it’s such an effective way of commemorating, remembering, dealing with the moment, and leaving something for the future. I expect we’ll have more to say, and some pictures, after the wake.

By: anaspanish

anaspanish — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 10:53:42 +0000

That’s such a poignent piece Suzanne and, in a few words, paints a rather wonderful picture of your Mum – I am truly sorry for your loss. The idea of scanning the photos is a great one and what a fabulous photo that is you’ve posted here.

By: Alannah Murphy

Alannah Murphy — Sun, 17 Jun 2012 15:17:14 +0000

Such fun, scan away

By: Alannah Murphy

Alannah Murphy — Sun, 17 Jun 2012 15:16:10 +0000

The sad thing is, most of us, do not realise this when we are young, so many moments pass by unnoticed but I had a childhood friend die, and another one when I was a teenager, so I became aware of the moments in time not lasting, early on.