August 30: Made it to Grandma’s house on an easeful MoonDay. Slept in a little hazily recalling murky dreams after a night spent packing and organizing. Had breakfast with mom, loaded the larger suit cases into her car, she is so graciously allowing me to borrow so I can drive myself and dad to see other family all over Georgia and Tennessee. Showered, slowly and ease-fully did my hair, and make-up. Ate lunch with mom and John, my plus-dad. Drove to Tifton to get my dad from the assisted living facility he was doing a trial stay at over the past week. Checked to make sure he packed everything and finished up the last details. Said farewell to his childhood friend who lives there. Got a quick tour of the place. Drove to Fitzgerald and made it to Grandma’s for dinner. Organized the closet and drawers in dad’s room to make more space and clear the clutter left from past trips. How bitter sweet were the feelings of sorrow that arose as memories were unlocked when reading old birthday cards, coming across childhood photos, buttons, pins, and little relics of the life we once lived. He is still with us and I can’t imagine going through this process once he is gone. Something a friend has had to do recently as his beloved partner surrendered to a long fought battle with cancer. What my dad ran away from after my step-mom died of Cancer only a few months after his father, my grandpa, passed away peacefully in his sleep after loosing his mind to dementia and Alzheimer’s. I accept that death is part of the cycles and portals we all pass through. And though I have faith that the soul and spirit are eternal, there is a delicious melancholic nostalgia that arises within me when reminded of what was, possessing a knowing things will continue to shift and change. These vessels are finite. Each phase fading into the next. Even the photos of my little niece and cousins brought a sigh and realization of the fleeting present that is now the past. I can’t wait to embrace my niece next week and witness her personality blooming in real time. A delightful treat of more time and presence! #cherisheachmoment #fleetinglife #grandmashouse #allthefeels #wealthalchemy (at Fitzgerald, Georgia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CTOjCPUr-Zo/?utm_medium=tumblr