Monday, November 9, 2009

stupid ol' dogs anyway!!!


My title is humorous yes...but the truth is my last couple of weeks have been horrific and yet gloriously rich at the same time...so I'll start with this. The dogs left again and this time have not returned. I imagine they're off on some trail of curious curiousity and got off track and will just leave it at that!

On Monday last week - wow, just one week ago, I got news that my good and long time friend was very very sick and in ICU in Portland. My brother and I worked the day and then took off to go visit with her. A good plan. We got there and although she was not conscious physically I know she knew of our presence there...we visited with her, laughed, shared stories, sang a longhouse song and finally about midnight after six hours with her we went to my daughters house to rest. I told my brother as we left the hospital "I think she's going to leave in the 3:00 hour. At 3:45 AM her sister called me and said that she had passed at 3:40 AM.

My personal loss is great but at the end of the day, you and I both know none of us gets out of this alive right? I'm grateful for some things, my friend no longer endures the daily pain of her increasingly severe rheumatoid arthritis...she no longer has to bear the pain of once having been a vibrant and bouncy woman of beauty to the needy and dependent...still a woman of beauty though. I will miss her smile - and though she was proper to the core I will also miss her bawdy sense of humor.

A greater loss to Indian country, she was passionate about Indian women's wellness and was not afraid to use herself and her personal experience to further the cause. Her "I finally quit smoking when..." story is pretty amazing and a very apt description of this.

So if you wonder where I was last week - that's where I was...

11 comments:

plainolebob said...

Flying eagle woman,
sorry for the loss of your friend and loved one.

BB said...

I´m sorry for your loss.
It´s good to hear from you again, I really missed you.
Peace and love.

Anonymous said...

Hey! I have been wondering where you were. I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Of both your friend and dogs. I am glad you got to visit with her first!

Ojibwe Confessions said...

Grief is a hard thing. I am a fan of wakes. It is a time to get together and remember. It is the after they are all gone that the loneliness hits us. A friend once told me to go gently on my grief. I am not sure what that means but I am sure it is meant with a good heart. So I hope you are thinking of the good times you had with your friend and remember them fondly.

Miss Pussycat said...

Your friend sounds like an unforgettable character, so sorry she has passed away. Nice to read you again x

Grandma K said...

I'm sorry for both of your losses being fully aware that the loss of your friend is greater. You are right, she is released from pain, and that is good.

I am a dog lover, and it would hurt me to lose my dog. '

I'm glad you're back though. I have missed you.

Anonymous said...

I have a gift for you at my blog! Great to have you back!

Alice in Wonderland said...

Shawna, so sorry to hear about your loss, but take comfort that she is at last at peace.
I have missed you while you have been away. Good to have you back again!
Big Hugs!

Alice said...

I just want to add my sympathy for the loss of your friends and wish your dogs a happy journey.

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