October 30, 2014 - The Funeral

-
We had the funeral for dad today and before people came, we opened the casket and he looked so tiny and I read him a letter that his friend had written him and then I touched and kissed his head; it was soap-like and it was so emotional.

My father's funeral was this afternoon and I not only gave his personal history, I also wrote a poem to honor him and the occasion, and I also got to read a letter that his best friend, Steve Grainger, had written for him. Before people came for to meet the family, Mom and I had a moment alone in the Relief Society Room with the open casket and I read the letter before I touched his forehead and gave him a beautiful kiss before saying a final goodbye. He looked so tiny and felt like dried soap.

Building An Eternity

I dream of a world
Where cancer never existed.
With alcohol dead in the water
and addictions all washed up.

People always being healthy
cheerful, loving, and full of faith.
No wars, killings, or tragedies
to mar the future as it has the past.

Cancer has claimed yet another life.
Yet, the soul is thriving in heavenly warmth.
A disease has been made a fool of this time
For the longsufferer is now free.

Death is not an end, but a brand new start.
A chance to show true passion and heart.
No longer bound by the strict rules of the world.
Now a glorious, joyful eternity can begin to be built.

written by Heather Leigh Cameron
(c) October 2014.
***

There are other entries between October 16 and 26 and between October 26 and today and I will get around to posting them when I feel like it.

11:47 p.m.: I keep hearing 'Abide With Me' in my head and picturing everyone singing it and how I tried to sing the songs, but couldn't because I had to cry, but by God's grace, I was able to get through my portion of the service without crying and the Spirit prompted me to add a positive note to the end of my dad's history. After the service, Bobby served as a pallbearer and helped carry Dad's casket from the chapel out to the hearse. I know that was super hard for him and I am proud of him.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

February 20, 2020 - Star Trek Picard: Episode 5 - Stardust City Rag

-
I admit, I have not yet viewed 'Stardust City Rag' even though it's on my PVR rewady for me to watch. I also admit that I check the recaps of the episodes each week before I watch them on CTV Sci-Fi just so I can have a sense of what I will be viewing. The episode photos intrigued me, but that intrigue was quickly replaced by solemn remembrance once I read the most detailed episode recap I could find. What happened in the episode reminds me very much of a past that I have worked hard to heal from, but still retain the memories and feelings of. I do not hate Picard; I actually quite enjoy it, but this kind of a subject being addressed in a supposedly utopian future makes me pause and consider things. I know it's a science-fiction television show and nothing in it is real, but the subject of addiction and that which it affects is a very real subject that does provoke memories of a different era in my life. I have found peace with it, but it's invited a definite need
Read more

October 16, 2018 - The Conners

-
I watched the premiere of 'The Conners' tonight and so many emotions filled my mind.... Roseanne Conner died of an opiod overdose, a fatal consequence of an untreated addiction that she managed to get others to feed. My birth father died of Stage 4 cancer of the adrenal gland, which was caused by years of alcohol and sometimes drug abuse. He drank even after he was diagnosed and he also mixed booze and pain pills, so his decline was quick, painful, and sometimes psychotic. I am familiar with what death by addiction can do to a family. After the death of my birth father, my family was left with nothing and we managed to score a rental trailer for a year and later on, an apartment in the city when Mom and I both made the decision to pursue There were a few points in the movie where the family finds stashes of Roseanne's pills all over the house and they quickly realize how deep her addiction was. It reminded me of how my birth father used to hide bottles of any kind all
Read more

Rolling Along - written by Heather Cameron - October 13, 2014

-
Rolling Along - written by Heather Cameron - October 13, 2014 Rolling an organized pile of weight over so they can be relieved by baby powder and cooling cream so the sufferer can feel that life is but a dream Boulders with limbs, yet still filled with a soul and life. Striving along as they fall apart piece by piece Holding fast to whatever they can to survive. A workout for those who will be left behind. Mental and physical tolls taken on the loved ones. Yet, the opportunity to serve is so equally present. Blessings will come for any sacrifices brought forth. For every gift of care, the time to be cared for will come. Though bodies crumble and minds become tired. The spirit yearns to be free of the burden of a crumbling rental unit that is meant to slow down. Perfection and peace will someday come to all. Do not be afraid to show compassion and love. Death is not a failure, only an end to much pain. Such time will come when the trial will be over. Even
Read more