Short story.
How did we get here with this random, mid-day post.
Ray, a fellow wordpress blogger, who must be beyond fatigued with my photo hobby posts across social media and my incessant sharing of book passages and quotes, said “ENOUGH already” and asked for a story. And when Ray demands, I move.
So, I’m giving him one. And it aligns with the spirt of this blog — if it moves me, it goes up.
My youngest Brother recently passed away. I am the Personal Representative of his Estate. It has been a journey in this COVID-19 environment to settle his affairs, and we’re far from done. Let’s leave this at that.
I’m sitting in a bank branch this morning waiting to get help. I’m holding my smartphone in my hand, and a file folder with my Brother’s paperwork on my lap.
And I’m waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting.
My Gear is on. (Face mask fully covering nose and mouth.)
I’m looking down and paging through screen after screen after screen after screen on my smartphone.
Twitter, Tumblr, work emails, FB, WP, LinkedIn.
And I get vertigo. Eye strain. Mask inhibiting breathing. Feeling woozy.
Normal functioning Humans make adjustments.
I keep flipping through web pages. And flipping, and flipping.
Wooziness doesn’t let up.
I come to a post on LinkedIn. And stop.
I read the post again.
And as Sawsan would say. “No, I’m not crying.” Not here. Not now.
Air under the mask is getting thin.
Eyes well up.
My glasses fog up, the face mask pushing air straight up.
And just at that moment: “Sir, I’m sorry to keep you waiting. I’m ready for you now.”
I can’t lift my head.
Glasses are fogged up. Floor is spinning.
She sees I’m struggling.
Sir, let me give you a moment: “I’m so sorry for your loss.”
I thank her, and take a moment to gain my composure, and then walk into her office.
Here was the LinkedIn story.
I meant a happy story…. but did see the same story in LinkedIn the other day. Thanks for reading your comments 😊
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OMG. Now he wants Happy stories.
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Awwww DK
Not crying! I’m not!
Thank you for this light, tears, filled glimpse into your beautiful day.
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Awwwwww.
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Yes, I am crying. Here and now.
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Happy or sad, you never disappoint, pal…
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Thank you Lori.
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Perfect. And perfect for Labor Day.
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Thank you Jnana. Agree.
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As a teenager, I used to be embarrassed that my father was a stupid farmer. Them as an adult I realized that farmers were the backbone of the country and that he was the smartest man I would ever know. xo
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Awwww, thanks for sharing Darlene
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My thoughts are with you and your family.
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Thank you Melinda
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I bought a new camera, I’ll tell you all about it another day. I’ll be looking for pointers.
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OMG. Good for you! Can’t wait to hear. Excited for you.
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This is a happy story—with some sad—so it is a life story.
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Thank you Carolyn. It is…
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The loss of your brother is a tough one for you. Know that you have the support of many.
AOC says it best. “There is everything dignified about being a working person.”
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So agree with AOC, especially in these times. Thank you Darlene for your kind words.
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YES…
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It’s Saturday, right? Which makes it quite all right that tears stream…
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We’re going to go with Saturday Raye…
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I’m glad you had a moment to feel your deep grief. 🙏🏻😔
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Thank you Karen.
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reading this was much better for my health than going to the vending machine in the middle of the day…
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So agree with that Jim
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that is incredibly beautiful and loving
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It really is….
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Love is love is love – and I’m so grateful it is. Beautiful story – tear-worthy, for sure for the heart is being squeezed.
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Yes!
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Reblogged this on It Is What It Is and commented:
I saw that story!! It tugged at my heart too … my thoughts are with you and yours!! Tight, Boricua hug!! … have to share!!
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Good!
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Hi!! Good day … I just read this today, this morning! I’m so sorry for your loss. Thinking about your brother and you family!! May he rest in peace. From the heart … ❤ …
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Thank you
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Work is work. You can touch people’s lives no matter what your job is. Sometimes just making them feel seen is a start.
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Well stated Nan. Thank you.
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….I cried. Nothing could be expressed more than this dear David, into the words, between lines, between letters, there are all stories/all life and you and your brother… feelings like a tears, sad or happy but so humanly find me too. I don’t know what I am saying now but I know my heart tries to talk with my amazing language. my thoughts are with you and yours. Thank you, Love, nia
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Awww. Thank you for sharing Nia.
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