HAPPILY SAD - Brittlestar’s Weekly Newsletter - Issue #36
A new episode of my Really Great Podcast is up! This week’s guest is Lance Ulanoff from Live With Kelly and Ryan
Get it here or anywhere you get podcasts!
HAPPILY SAD
I’m speaking at my friend James’ memorial today.
He died in April, 2020. The pandemic was just really ramping up speed then. Lockdowns were all the rage and that meant no funeral. No opportunity to raise a glass in his honour and help console his brother, Bob (star of a few of my dancing Dads videos).
Nope. Just the call you hate to receive. You know, you see who’s calling, you prep your goofy greeting… maybe you do a voice, then you get the 180º. The terrible news hits you and, thanks to the pandemic, you can’t do a damn thing about it except sit in your home and be sad.
Shortly after Jim died Bob connected with his friends and assured us that we would have the opportunity to celebrate Jim’s life once this pandemic crapulence eased up a bit and it was safe.
I held on to that assurance for more than just the chance to pause for Jim, but I held on to it as a goalpost. If Jim’s memorial was finally happening, that meant time was moving forward and things just might be getting better.
Make no mistake, the pandemic was a dark time. For many, it still is.
Life on hold. Memories on hold. But the clock keeps ticking.
I’m sad that Jim is gone. He was a force. But the clock keeps ticking.
I’m also happy that we’re able to get together for Jim. It means that life is still moving and we’re finally… hopefully… moving along with it.
I’m happily sad.
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Jim questions decision to visit author and author's wife