Such a gorgeous place, Ramona. I spent time in the Porkies a few years ago and didn't realize until then how unbelievably magical that area is. How wonderful for you that you grew up there and spent so much special time with your husband there, too.
I am still as sorry for your loss as the day you first shared about it here. I choke up looking at the USMC flag and grave marker. It seems you and your family gave him a lovely send-off. Take good care of yourself in these days following -- grief is exhausting and it's okay to be wherever you're at, feeling whatever you're feeling.
It is a special place. It somehow makes all of this a little easier, to be sure. I sat through the military service thinking how much Ed would have loved to have been there. I know everyone says he was, but it was enough that his family was there to witness it. The entire week was as lovely as it can be when all of us were missing him, too.
What a beautiful remembrance. Thank you so much for sharing it! It was lovely to read and wonderful to know that you had such a special day with your family.
I recently visited our old home in Olympia, WA. I took a walk in the nearby woods, left a a memento of Dan, and brough one back. The woods were exactly the same - they had not changed - other than growing. I don't know exactly why that was important to me, but it was. Maybe it was a reminder that some things don't change and that as you say "our love is breathing still." . . . or maybe even growing, too, in different ways.
The natural world is healing, isn't it? I love your story here, how the woods affected you, Janice. Part of the appeal of the Keweenaw for me is that nothing much changes. My childhood haunts are still there, though a little worse for wear, but they serve as reminders. They were a part of me.
I've never been to your area but I've seen pictures and it looks beautiful. Much like my favorite places in the Upper Peninsula.
My father-in-law died in March 2020, just a month before his last grandchild, my youngest and his namesake, was born. It was at the beginning of COVID, so no one knew anything. We couldn’t do an indoor service, we were limited to graveside. We couldn’t have the whole family there, we were limited to 20 people. He didn’t get his military burial, and a huge number of friends and family members still haven’t been able to say a proper goodbye.
But at least he’s here in town, and I can take the kids - even the baby, who’s now 2.5 - to see him. The cemetery places flags on veterans’ graves each Memorial Day and he has his granite stone and the military marker now. Such a hard time to remember.
Wishing you peace and love as you move onto this next phase of grief. 💖
Nicci, you're lucky to have your father-in-law so close to you, though I understand how hard it must have been not to be able to mourn/celebrate as you would have liked during COVID.
What a great tribute, to a person and a place. When I lived in Minneapolis, I would get up to northern Wisconsin as often as possible, and sometimes into the UP. I want to visit again. I hope you are doing well.
I hope you'll get a chance again, Ned. They are such special places, made even more so, I think, by their very remoteness. They're not always easy to get to. If they were, they might be too crowded to enjoy now!
I'm so very sorry for your loss, Ramona. This is so beautifully written. Thank you, thank you for sharing this with us.
Thank you. I'm grateful you're all here, too.
Such a gorgeous place, Ramona. I spent time in the Porkies a few years ago and didn't realize until then how unbelievably magical that area is. How wonderful for you that you grew up there and spent so much special time with your husband there, too.
I am still as sorry for your loss as the day you first shared about it here. I choke up looking at the USMC flag and grave marker. It seems you and your family gave him a lovely send-off. Take good care of yourself in these days following -- grief is exhausting and it's okay to be wherever you're at, feeling whatever you're feeling.
It is a special place. It somehow makes all of this a little easier, to be sure. I sat through the military service thinking how much Ed would have loved to have been there. I know everyone says he was, but it was enough that his family was there to witness it. The entire week was as lovely as it can be when all of us were missing him, too.
What a beautiful remembrance. Thank you so much for sharing it! It was lovely to read and wonderful to know that you had such a special day with your family.
Thanks. It felt like a movie!
That's the best feeling, especially when combined with a fabulous soundtrack that brings you nothing but joy 🤗
Yes, that, too!
I recently visited our old home in Olympia, WA. I took a walk in the nearby woods, left a a memento of Dan, and brough one back. The woods were exactly the same - they had not changed - other than growing. I don't know exactly why that was important to me, but it was. Maybe it was a reminder that some things don't change and that as you say "our love is breathing still." . . . or maybe even growing, too, in different ways.
The natural world is healing, isn't it? I love your story here, how the woods affected you, Janice. Part of the appeal of the Keweenaw for me is that nothing much changes. My childhood haunts are still there, though a little worse for wear, but they serve as reminders. They were a part of me.
I've never been to your area but I've seen pictures and it looks beautiful. Much like my favorite places in the Upper Peninsula.
We're lucky we have them when we need them.
Lovely words. And what a beautiful setting...
Thank you, Prue. I think we all have our own places of beauty just waiting to heal us when we need them. Thank goodness for that!
What a loving story. You’ve got me in tears.
My father-in-law died in March 2020, just a month before his last grandchild, my youngest and his namesake, was born. It was at the beginning of COVID, so no one knew anything. We couldn’t do an indoor service, we were limited to graveside. We couldn’t have the whole family there, we were limited to 20 people. He didn’t get his military burial, and a huge number of friends and family members still haven’t been able to say a proper goodbye.
But at least he’s here in town, and I can take the kids - even the baby, who’s now 2.5 - to see him. The cemetery places flags on veterans’ graves each Memorial Day and he has his granite stone and the military marker now. Such a hard time to remember.
Wishing you peace and love as you move onto this next phase of grief. 💖
Nicci, you're lucky to have your father-in-law so close to you, though I understand how hard it must have been not to be able to mourn/celebrate as you would have liked during COVID.
Good memories. And peace to you, as well.
What a great tribute, to a person and a place. When I lived in Minneapolis, I would get up to northern Wisconsin as often as possible, and sometimes into the UP. I want to visit again. I hope you are doing well.
I hope you'll get a chance again, Ned. They are such special places, made even more so, I think, by their very remoteness. They're not always easy to get to. If they were, they might be too crowded to enjoy now!
I am crying. and appreciate that Ed has touched my heart. And yes: Our love is breathing still and your beautifully written story keeps it alive.
Technical issue, when I clicked on the link to The Keweenaw Peninsula, my antivirus said it was infected with something and got me out of there.