The past week has tested my #OLW – brave. I really can’t write much about it YET. But I’m here to tell you that last week had some REAL Highs countered by one humongous abysmal low!
Highs
Time with my son, daughter-in-law and 22 month old grandson
Time with my nephew, niece by marriage, great nephew and great niece
Time with my niece, great nephew and great niece
Time with my mother
Time with my sister
Time with my ex-brother-in-law
Time with my sister, brother-in-law and three short nephews
Time with my brother, sister-in-law, niece and step-niece
Time with my brother, sister-in-law and niece
Time with aunts, uncles and cousins galore
Seconds, minutes, hours, days and days!
Google images, retrieved 3/13/17
Talking
Eating
Laughing
Shopping
Eating
Swimming
Laughing
Playing cards
Eating
Checking math homework
Laughing
Talking with friends
Time well spent!
One of my favorite roles
Warning:
Lows
Last Tuesday’s news
Calling
Telling Mom
Two new angels
My godson (nephew) and his wife
No time for a last goodbye
No time for a last hug
No time for a last joke
A double funeral
Hug your loved ones
Tell them you love them
Every minute
You never know . . .
Don’t leave any “could have”, “should have”, “would have”. . .
All in!
Family!
Thank you, Betsy, Beth, Deb, Kathleen, Lanny, Lisa, Melanie, and Stacey for this weekly forum and the #SOLSC that runs from March 1 to the 31st. Check out the writers, readers and teachers here.
Resource - Full 
I almost dreaded reading downward into the lows. I am sorry. I guess life is a strange balance. We all keep on the path towards some sort of inner peace, even with the unexpected twists and turns that come our way.
May today bring more Highs than Lows.
Kevin
Thanks, Kevin. My goal is “more Highs than Lows”
My condolences on the loss of your beloved family members. You are right — treasure every minute.
Wishing you peace and more hugs than tears,
Jennifer
Thanks, Jennifer. Love the more hugs than tears idea! ❤
I am so sorry to hear about your losses. I know how hard that is and how you must be feeling. I am glad you got to love on so many family members this week. Sending you positive vibes today. ❤
Thanks!
Oh Fran… I am so sorry. It does put life in perspective and writing does help to heal and find meaning in the senseless. Thinking of you and feeling with you.
Clare
Thanks, Clare! Some dark days . . .<3
Fran, my thoughts and prayers are with you. So sorry for your loss. Writing is healing, though grief is overwhelming. My you gain strength from continuing to share love with your family.
Thanks, Diane!
Fran…there are no words. Hugs…prayers…time. Writing makes it real. The heart and love will heal it. Someday. I wish you peace.
Time . . . a gift, a blessing . . .Thanks!
Fran, you are BRAVE! This awful time has put that to the test. I’m glad you decided to write about it. The first step toward healing and hope. There is nothing that prepares to handle such a sudden loss. Hugs to you.
Thanks so much Margaret. Not feeling the brave but trying to convince myself! ❤
Fran, I am so sorry about the loss of your loved ones. Holding you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. Hugs to you, my friend.
Thanks, Catherine! Much appreciated!
I think of you. Your family. All the time. Life takes so much and gives so much. Brave. Sending you love and hugs.
Thanks, Julieanne! Much appreciated! Especially since “my best hugger” had to go home with his parents! ❤
My condolences to you and your family on your unexpected losses, Fran. You are certainly brave to take the time to write about it. I hope there will be love and good memories shared when you gather to pay your last respects.
Thanks!
There are no words. I am so sorry. It’s terrible. Yet, somehow in the middle of this unimaginable tragedy, you find a way to think about some highs. Hold your family close and let them hold you. I’m saying a prayer for you and your family.
Thanks, Michelle. So appreciate the slicing family as well!
So sorry for your loss!
Thanks, Erin!
Fran, Sending prayers your way. Family is everything so hug long and hard!
Thanks, Christine!
Fran — I have no words for your loss. Know that your slicing family is holding you in their thoughts and hearts. Be well.
Yes, the “slicing family”! Thanks!
So sorry to hear of your family’s loss, Fran. My thoughts are with you and your family during this unbelievably difficult time. Not sure what else I might say, but I think being brave enough to share this with this incredible community is a wise choice. Let us know if there is anything we can do.
This is the perfect community for sharing! ❤
Fran, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. It is so important to cherish every moment because we never know what the next will bring.
Cherish, YES! Thanks, Bob!
Fran, I am so sorry for your loss. This unexpected tragedy – there are no words. But I can see from this slice that you are a loving family and sharing with this extended family, your writing community, is one way to sift through grief and heal. Sending thoughts and prayers your way.
Words are still hard . . . I’ve been jotting notes every day!
Thanks, Lynne!
Oh my goodness, Fran… I am taken aback by your news. I am also lifted up by the strength of you and your family. You always manage to weave in bits and pieces of their lives into everything you do. You are a woman with strong faith, so I know you understand that through the darkness, there is always light… it’s the waiting on the light that tests us. Thank you for this reminder… I am going to use the picture you posted about being an aunt to guide my writing today. You are a blessing to your family, Fran and to the blogging community. Always giving your time – selflessly in sharing with others, as I am sure you are doing with your family right now. Peace and blessings to you and yours.
Thanks, Laurie
Just beautiful, Fran…you are much in my thoughts.
Thanks, Tara!
I am so very sorry for your loss. I cannot even imagine. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family!
Thanks, Katie!
Fran, I am so sorry for your loss. It is clear family is important to you. We have to grab every moment and cherish them. Sending prayers to your family.
Thanks, Phyllis. I know you also value family and family jobs/roles! So important to lean on each other in times of trouble. ❤
[…] morning I read a post from Fran McVeigh, where she shared the news of loss in her family. I was touched by her words and with the visual […]
I’m so sorry for your loss. What a horrible low. Holding you and your family in the light. I’m glad you were able to list so many highs. … and I hope those will help you through this grief.
Thanks . . . not in balance right now & a broken heart is REALLY painful. ❤
So painful. Thinking of you.
I’ve been thinking of you, Fran, and I know that these last several days have been tough, dark times.
The first part of your post reminded me of Cynthia Rylant’s The Relatives Came. 🙂
I think you were brave to write this post.
Allison, Thanks!
The relatives came and stood together. Laughed.
Told stories together.
Held tightly to each other!
HARD!
❤
I was worried about you when I got your tweet this morning, Fran. Thoughts and prayers are with you. I’m so sorry!
Thanks, Melanie! ❤
Oh Fran…I heard this heartbreaking story but had no idea of the connection to you. You are so BRAVE not only to write about it, but to frame it in the way you did…through unspeakable pain, such strong love comes through. I’m keeping you and your family in my heart with thoughts and prayers for comfort and peace. I love the sentiment from your friend above–“I wish you more hugs than tears”…I will echo that. Being an Aunt is a high calling, a privilege, and a precious gift full of joy–and it is clear that your place in your family as an Aunt is treasured. I’m keeping you in my heart as you work through this brave road ahead. ❤️
Thanks, Kathy!
Definitely a “precious gift full of joy” to be an Aunt!
Fran…. I’m so sorry! I wish I had words. This seems unthinkable. Prayers for you and your family.
Thanks, Kathleen!
I am so sorry Fran. So many in this community will be holding you close and sending love. Please take care.
There are no words, Fran. Sighs and tears and prayers.
Thanks, Kristi!
[…] perusal of archives finds these two posts: my January 3rd announcement here and a March check in here that was incredibly sad. 2017 has been a year of […]
Fran,
I know how limited words are at such times. Please do know that you and this beautiful couple and their three surviving children are in my thoughts. There are often no answers, no justifications, just feelings that wave in and through our lives. Live boldly. Love often seems like the most important sense that rises for me.
Wishing you peace and ample Kindness.
Is there a gofundme site for the children? When Rob died, friends set one up and it really helped me pay my son’s high school tuition.
Oh, Fran, you have had so many losses lately. My heart goes out to you and the friends and family left behind. Your OLW is getting a workout. Sending you hugs.
Yet. What a great word!
So sorry to read this Fran. The highs you talk about certainly reflect the advice you offer us after the news of your terrible loss.
The highs were so wonderful, but oh, as with all things in life… the lows… I’m sorry to read this, Fran. My heart goes out to you and to yours.
I’m so sorry for your loss, Fran. I hope that writing and sharing will help you heal.
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[…] 4. #SOLSC17: #OLW Brave […]