Fleabane – a wildflower that pops up at this time of year. For the past 2 or 3 years, I’ve seen more and more of it on the property. It’s under the birdbath, next to the garden beds, in the secret garden. I just let it go wild because it’s so lovely. Not much is blooming yet, but fleabane comes to the rescue every year. It’s a gift.
Resting today. I mowed the lilac side of the lawn and the secret garden yesterday. And I pruned a few things. But it’s very clear that I need to take a couple of days off (the ever present back crap.) That won’t be too hard for me since I’m tired today and tomorrow it’s going to rain and boy do we need it.
Reading and careful puzzle work is on the docket for today.
A close friend of Don’s lost her daughter to suicide a couple of days ago. I won’t go into details because her privacy needs to be protected, but it’s devastating. The daughter donated her organs. A very solemn ceremony with a hundred hospital employees lining the hospital corridor, quietly paying their respects as she was wheeled into the operating room. She will save eight lives.
We are seeing the other side of organ donation, not long after Adrian’s heart transplant. The grief and pain from the untimely loss of a loved one and the generous and selfless donation that will save lives.
I can’t say anymore as it’s just so overwhelming. Prayers to her parents and siblings and family and friends.
So I’m going to keep it short today.
Stay safe.
Happy Friday.
Fiona says
Oh that’s tragic, poor girl but she is helping to save so many lives. It’s hard to fathom. Sending blessings and love to all who knew her.
Claudia says
Thank you, Fiona.
Stay safe.
kathy in iowa says
so sad for the friend and her daughter … will be praying for them.
especially with you and don being given that hard news, i’m glad you have flowers, some tasks done, a day off with puzzles and rain on the way and don can play the guitar/ ukelele. take good care of yourselves.
praying for everyone in this world that is broken yet still beautiful in many ways.
kathy
Claudia says
Thank you, Kathy.
Stay safe.
Barrie Wilber says
That is most definitely sad news…she must have been in so much pain. The recipients of her donation will be so grateful. Don has had quite a bit of sadness lately, I’m so sorry.
You have been busy with the mowing, that must be satisfying to have it done… until it all needs mowing again! You’ve earned some nice relaxation time! Take care…
Claudia says
Thank you, Barrie.
Stay safe.
Linda MacKean says
The sadness that comes with suicide is like no other. Some good has come out of it with the organ donation. Wishing all some peace and rest.
Claudia says
I’ve lost a few friends to suicide. Profoundly sad.
Stay safe, Linda.
Jenny says
Oh, I’m so very sorry to hear about Don’s friend’s daughter. Such a tragedy, but what an amazing gift she left behind.
I hope you get your needed rest, Claudia.
Claudia says
Thank you, Jenny.
Stay safe.
Kay in SE WI says
Reading this right after reading a heart wrenching column in the NYT written by a woman dealing with the death of her 14 yr old daughter due to cancer. I’m so sorry for your friend’s devastating loss of her child. Raising and then helping children go out into the world and their own lives is not easy and sometimes downright messy. I am so grateful to have gotten through it in one piece, sanity intact.
Enjoy your rest today.
K.
Claudia says
Thank you, Kay,
Stay safe.
Elaine in Toronto says
What a tragic, sad story. May she and her family find peace. Hope the expected rain will give you some well deservd downtime. You and Don both need some comforting. Hugs, Elaine
Claudia says
Thank you, Elaine.
Stay safe.
Wendy T says
I’m sorry to read aboutthe suicide of the daughter of Don’s friend’s. So sad and confusing for the survivors. However, organ donation is the ultimate gift. When my husband died, they couldn’t harvest most of his organs, but they were able to take skin, which they told me would be used for children who received surgery for cleft lip and palate.
Dee+Dee says
Sorry for your loss, Wendy. It must be a comfort for you knowing that your husband has helped so many others.
A few years ago my friend’s daughter died suddenly from a brain aneurysm when she was only 24. She and her boyfriend decided to bake a cake and after buying ingredients were leaving the supermarket when she collapsed. The supermarket staff administered first aid but nothing could be done.
Her organs saved the lives of several people.
Claudia says
Bless your husband and his memory, Wendy.
Thank you.
Stay safe.
Vicki says
Claudia, you and Don are being inundated with concerning, sad, tragic and upsetting things going on with friends/acquaintances; I’m so sorry. I hope with the rain that you two can just tuck in, be home, rest and mend, wrestle with what’s on your minds, find some peace as it sorts out; sometimes it is just.too.much. Take care, dear friend.
Claudia says
Thank you, Vicki.
Stay safe.
kaye says
What sad news. I am sorry for the loss of your friends child.
My nephew said that when he was in medical school that they would have a moment of reverence and gratitude for the people who had donated their bodies to the University for study.
Take Care,
Kaye
Claudia says
Thank you, Kaye.
Stay safe.
Dee+Dee says
Very sorry to read about Don’s friend’s daughter. It’s difficult when so many tragic events surround you but I am sure your friends appreciate the support that you offer.
Claudia says
Thank you, Dee Dee.
Stay safe.
jeanie says
My sympathies on the death of the young woman. Her final act was a lifesaver for many.
We see lots of fleabane up north. I think it’s pretty.
Claudia says
Thank you, Jeanie.
Stay safe.