And So It Goes (Billy Joel)

Top pic is Eric's Instagram tagline, and below that a sticker I bought and installed on the rear windshield of my car, *inspired by* E's Instagram tagline.  Bought one for Chico, Sarah, and Duyen as well... 💗

Just when it feels as if Life is settling down, we had an appointment with Bank of America to attempt to get the details of E's secondary checking account (where he was saving up for Duyen's ring).  Even though we presented them with his death certificate, we still had to fill out forms which then have to go through their Estate Department (at first I thought she said *State* Department, and wondered why the government had to get involved - ha!).  So many flaming hoops.  Ugh... 🔥

Today we spread Eric's ashes at the park in our old neighborhood, where we lived from 1992-2018.  More on that Tuesday.  Not sure if it's peace or panic, but I'm feeling quiet tonight.

SONG:  And So It Goes by Billy Joel

BOOK:  Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

POEM(S):  In Blackwater Woods by Mary Oliver

Look, the trees

are turning

their own bodies

into pillars

of light,

are giving off the rich

fragrance of cinnamon

and fulfillment,

the long tapers

of cattails

are bursting and floating away over

the blue shoulders

of the ponds,

and every pond,

no matter what its

name is, is

nameless now.

Every year

everything

I have ever learned

in my lifetime

leads back to this: the fires

and the black river of loss

whose other side 

is salvation,

whose meaning

none of us will ever know.

To live in this world

you must be able

to do three things:

to love what is mortal;

to hold it

against your bones knowing

your own life depends on it;

and, when the time comes to let it go,

to let it go.

On Safety by Nadine Pinede

When the storms of life

come bearing down

threatening to

lash you senseless,

seek shelter.

Find the warm

blanket you caress

like the felted fur

of your cat

curled before

a glowing hearth,

of breath that fills

both heart and earth.

Breathe.

There’s always time

to curse the darkness.

After the tears,

light a honeycomb candle

and heal your own sun.

The bridge

from sorrow to joy

may seem to vanish

in the flood,

but who says you

can’t join those

who cross over,

with a single

braided rope

of gratitude.

QUOTE:  “Misery won't touch you gentle. It always leaves its thumbprints on you; sometimes it leaves them for others to see, sometimes for nobody but you to know of.” ~ Edwidge Danticat