Two years ago today, at 11:45 a.m., Linda Patterson (Mitchell) took her final breath, surrounded by myself and our two children, their faces against hers, speaking words of love and gratitude, saying goodbye in a manner absolutely as I know she would have wanted.
No event in my life has had as significant an impact on my character and mindset as that moment, all those leading up to it, and everything that's been playing out ever since. Ours was and, in many ways, still is a complicated mix of resentment, remorse, regret, resolve, and resignation. I am still learning from the experience to this day.
Second only to the assets I count amongst my character traits as those I can attribute directly to her influence is my sincere gratitude that I was allowed "back in" to her life through those 13 months, well beyond the negativity that had developed between us. I got to be there for her, as part of her family and as someone who always cared deeply about her well-being.
Thank you, Linda, for the generous gift of forgiveness, recognition and reconciliation. And for continuing to be an influence, even in your absence.
Second only to the assets I count amongst my character traits as those I can attribute directly to her influence is my sincere gratitude that I was allowed "back in" to her life through those 13 months, well beyond the negativity that had developed between us. I got to be there for her, as part of her family and as someone who always cared deeply about her well-being.
Thank you, Linda, for the generous gift of forgiveness, recognition and reconciliation. And for continuing to be an influence, even in your absence.
There are moments that the words don't reach
There's a grace too powerful to name
We push away what we can never understand
We push away the unimaginableThey are standing in the garden
Alexander by Eliza's side
She takes his hand
It's quiet uptownForgiveness, can you imagine?
- "It's Quiet Uptown"