30 Comments
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DougT's avatar

Dear Clint, now not knowing Abby I can't comment on her personally and the way she dealt with her cancer. As a male cancer survivor in long term remission we all deal with it in our own way and I support Abby's way of doing things. I had a neighbour a few years back who was diagnosed with Breast cancer who refused all treatment because she was afraid/scared of needles and injections. It was a swift journey (probably very painful) that she accepted. As you know Clint I'm a very emotionally detached person living in an Ivory Tower so I see things totally different to many others eyes. Often illnesses/cancers are 'more devastating' to others than the ill or cancerous person. So 🫂🫂 to you Clint and to all the readers who have seen affected by both own experiences and in others around them. Regards DougT 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧

Clint Collide's avatar

Dearest Doug, thank you for you words of experience and wisdom. As for you being an “emotionally detached” person, I beg to differ. I ain’t buying what you’re selling. Ever the contrarian herself, Abby would have LOVED you. She would’ve woo’d you out of the Ivory Tower long enough to have a pint (or three). Cheers to you!

Doug Thompson's avatar

Aweeee thankies

Mr. Troy Ford's avatar

Oh no, that's what those texts were about! I'm so sorry, Clint. 💔

Clint Collide's avatar

Thanks, MTF…I had a feeling, but am so glad we had a chance to talk. You definitely were the bright spot of my day. Cheers, my dears!

Gino Cosme's avatar

Clint, I’m so sorry. Abby sounds like one of those rare ‘war buddy’ people who marks you for life and this is a beautiful tribute. And for what it’s worth, the regret is a grief reflex, not a verdict on you. Thank you for writing her into the room like this. May her memory stay loud.

Clint Collide's avatar

Thank you, Gino. Your way with words always manages to touch my heart. Abby was the ultimate “war buddy.” Always ready to fight or work as necessary to get the job done…with passion and personality for days!

Gino Cosme's avatar

Clint, I’m glad it landed. And yes, Abby sounds competent, relentless, and impossible to replace. The passion and personality you’re describing is the part that keeps showing up in the room long after the person’s gone. x

Clint Collide's avatar

Thank you again, Gino. Cheers!

Dr Ray Lightbown's avatar

You have my sympathy. What I write next doesn't alter that empathy with your sense of loss and grief. Speak to her now. She will hear you. You may not hear her reply. You might. You may not feel her close by. You might. But don't beat yourself up for not going to see her before she passed. It isn't too late for you to say whatever you want to say.

Clint Collide's avatar

Thank you, dear Ray. I spent half of yesterday afternoon having a one-sided conversation that I hope her heard. And the other half, I spent reaching out to others who loved her…and planning a few brunches and lunches to remember her in person. Cheers!

sixes's avatar

🥁🎸🏳‍🌈🌈🖤🤎🤍💜💙💚💛🧡❤ Thanks Clint and Godspeed Abby, "The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God" (Wisdom 3:1) I'm verklempt. Many years ago, my favorite aunt died from cancer in an era before morphine was used. She and my uncle were married in Hawaii during WW2 in a native ceremony. I sometimes listen to The Hawaiian Wedding Song, and cry at "this is the moment of sweet aloha". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rj3wwAJs5U4 RT 02:27 ❤🧡💛💚💙💜🤍🤎🖤🌈🏳‍🌈🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸

Clint Collide's avatar

Thank you for sharing a bit of your aunt with us, Steve. And what a beautiful song. Cheers (and tears)!

Larry LeBlanc's avatar

My condolences to you, Dear Clint! I think it interesting that you had a desire to get in touch and perhaps there is a part of us that is connected to the ones we hold dear and always will be on another level or dimension. Perhaps I read too much into things at times. Anyway, I am sincerely sorry for your loss! Keep Drumming!!!

Clint Collide's avatar

No, Larry, I think you exactly the right amount into things. Thank you for your kind words. Cheers!

Drewski's avatar

I grieve with you, Nerd. It’s always too soon and a miserable surprise when discovering someone you love is taken away so suddenly and unexpectedly.

I can only hope for healing and understanding of your heart in time. 💔

Clint Collide's avatar

Thank you, Nerdness. I hope you know how much you are loved, my friend!

Drewski's avatar

Back atcha, Nerdness. 🤗

Elizabeth Oldham (she/her)'s avatar

So sorry for your loss. I am 100% guilty of not reaching out to people I care deeply for, and this is a good reminder to do it.

Clint Collide's avatar

Thank you, Elizabeth. Wishing you and yours much love and light…

Diana | Sloppyperfect's avatar

Clint, I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your friend.

Clint Collide's avatar

Thank you, Diana. Much love and light to you and yours!

Paul Friedman's avatar

Clint

Lessons we all need to learn …

Your writing is passing Thats on to all of us Clint

There is such good in you and to be culled from your writing

You will find a way to honor her as you have done here

Be safe and well in knowing this

Thankyou for all you do

From soneone who appreciates this

Paul Friedman

Clint Collide's avatar

Wow…thank you, dear Paul. I’m touched by your kind words. I appreciate it…and you. Cheers!

Michael Horvich's avatar

Clint, Sitting with one's sadness is sad, painful, difficult ... but necessary. Visit with Miss Abby in the silence and she will visit you back. Life is like that. Death is like that. Sorrow is like that. Joy in memories is like that. Amazing what we can carry on both sides of today. Fondly, Michael

Clint Collide's avatar

Oh, Michael, I was thinking about you and all the love you carry for your dear Gregory. What an inspiration and reminder to hold on to we love and make the best of the life we have. Cheers, my dears! And thank you for the friendly reminders of sitting still in the muck of the yuck. 🌈✌️❤️‍🩹

Michael Horvich's avatar

I like “sitting i the much of the yuck”. And often yuck it is! Fondly, Michael

Clint Collide's avatar

I love the word yuck. And most words with more than one meaning. Let’s yuck it up, kind sir! Cheers, Michael…

Keith Aron's avatar

So sorry to hear of your loss, Clint. 💔 When my mom was saying her long, slow goodbye on the sludgy exit ramp of Alzheimer's, I tried to remember to say what I needed to say at the end of each visit, just in case. And yet, still I forget to do this with loved ones...and the truth is, we never know how long the exit ramp will be. Love to you and your aching heart, friend. ❤️‍🩹🕊️

Clint Collide's avatar

Thank you, dear Keith. I appreciate you and your kind words more than you’ll ever know. Cheers, my dears!