The Final Lap

On By ptero9In Death

I’ll be offline for a while.

My step-dad Jim, who would have been 86 on April 15, passed away Friday from natural causes. Jim had a difficult life in many ways. His early years were spent in an orphanage until age 9 when he was adopted by a farmer who used him strictly as a laborer. He escaped by running away in his mid-teens, joined the military hoping to be a pilot, but his eyesight was not good enough. Jim never gave up his love of flying and enjoyed building and flying model airplanes for many years. He also worked at an airport, drove a school bus and when I first met him, was a caretaker at his church.

Jim met my mother in 1978 and they married shortly after making their home just outside of Atlanta, Georgia. After spending the first 30 years of my life in New York, I have since made my home 3,000 miles away in Oregon. The only time I had to get to know him was during family vacations. Jim was a good-hearted man who loved my mother very much. I know she loved him too, although in the last few years their declining health has brought difficult challenges for both of them. In many ways the years they had together have been some of the best years for both of them.

So, I am here in Atlanta with my sister and niece helping to bring Jim to his final resting place. On the plus side, I am able to spend some time with family and be here for my mom, whose dementia keeps her from fully grasping that her Jim is gone.

Looking forward to catching up with everyone here as time allows.

“I watched you suffer a dull aching pain 
Now you decided to show me the same 
No sweeping exits or off stage lines 
Could make me feel bitter or treat you unkind 
Wild horses, couldn’t drag me away.” Jagger/Richards

25 thoughts on “The Final Lap”

  1. Endings are New Beginnings for us all, including your Step-Father; both in your awareness of his role in your consciousness and, I d believe, as Soul. Thanks for attending to my stories about my Mother this week; nothing is by accident; all is synchronicity! Linda

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  5. What a tribute and honor you pay to Jim and your mom by how you live your life and share what is found with the world here. My thoughts are there with you as you comfort and are comforted, surrounded by love with your family there. Your electronic family is with you, too.

    Massive squeezes at time of transition sent to you, your family and Jim on the breeze blowing east.

    -x.M

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  14. Hi Debra… so good that you are able to be back to your family home for a while, being together always makes this time easier… and giving your step-dad a good send off… his life mattered… from a step mum, Barbara x

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  15. Oh Debra I am so sorry—I’m also sorry for the wet weather here which, I’m certain, only adds to the gloom and sadness.
    I wish you and your family peace as you lay your step dad to rest.
    Reunions can often be bitter sweet but I’m sure your sister welcomes your company.
    Hugs to you–
    Julie

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  16. I offer you my heartfelt condolences Deb. My mother will be 80 on April 15th so we share yet another connection. I will be thinking of you and sending you love and white light during this challenging time.

    BTW, Wild Horses is one of my favorite songs..

    love,
    Linda

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