As someone who had his own major implosion/burnout/breakdown about a decade ago now (and is *still* trying to put the pieces together again), I identify with your concept of writing one's way through and trying to find peace (among the pieces).
I'm sorry to read you've lost such an important parental figure and guardian spirit. They're among the most irreplaceable in life - they've been our anchors, and now we find ourselves drifting at sea.
It's a sad thing for gay men Of A Certain Age Range: we've already been through one far-too-early wave of massive loss during the worst of AIDS; now we who somehow survived are ageing into the years when another wave of losses inevitably approaches.
Not fair that we must endure such a thing twice-over.
Thank you, dear one. I hope your healing continues and thank you for sharing and caring with me and the crew. Hereโs to finding other anchors in the brotherhood of men. Cheers, my dears!
I am not disrespectful of your emotions but I do not regard "death" as a loss. It is a gain to the person who leaves their corporeal mortality behind. It's is also a gain to those of us who are still corporeal that we can speak with people in spirit, whom we value, whenever we and they choose and feel the gentle pressure of their hand, lips or hugs.
Thanks, Uncle Ray. Iโm not quite evolved enough to stop seeing it as a loss. Maybe someday.
For now, I still miss the earthly versions of the people I love. I miss the sound of their voices, the comfort of their presence, and the warmth of their hugs more than I know how to put into words.
I wasn't criticising you or others for your perspective on death, loss and grief. It hasn't to do with evolution, either. My position was the response to literally watching many men, up to 25 years younger than I was, dying. My new perspective was offered to me by a guy with HIV, who was also a doula, in SF in the late 80s. He was dealing with 40 or more people that he knew each week "dying". I also had a great aunt (I never met her), who was a trance medium. She gave messages, from those who had passed as spirit, to their families and loved ones in physical bodies.
It is not to my credit. I understand and sympathise with any one who feels loss.
I always find time while perusing Substack to drop in on CP. Iโm so glad to have found this today. So pleasantly revealed and shared, so thank you. Excellently written and hopefully cathartic. It opened windows in my soul. How surprisingly similar we as human beings share such emotions. Thanks so much for sharing. Cheers
๐๐ Rian a floral bunch for Miss Janice and your old friend and ๐ a bunch for your own wellbeing. Many regards DougT ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ๐ฌ๐ง
๐ Love, light, health, peace, prosperity and strength to all, especially Clint ๐ณโ๐
Right back atcha, Steveโฆmuch love and light! ๐โ๏ธ
As someone who had his own major implosion/burnout/breakdown about a decade ago now (and is *still* trying to put the pieces together again), I identify with your concept of writing one's way through and trying to find peace (among the pieces).
I'm sorry to read you've lost such an important parental figure and guardian spirit. They're among the most irreplaceable in life - they've been our anchors, and now we find ourselves drifting at sea.
It's a sad thing for gay men Of A Certain Age Range: we've already been through one far-too-early wave of massive loss during the worst of AIDS; now we who somehow survived are ageing into the years when another wave of losses inevitably approaches.
Not fair that we must endure such a thing twice-over.
Thank you, dear one. I hope your healing continues and thank you for sharing and caring with me and the crew. Hereโs to finding other anchors in the brotherhood of men. Cheers, my dears!
I am not disrespectful of your emotions but I do not regard "death" as a loss. It is a gain to the person who leaves their corporeal mortality behind. It's is also a gain to those of us who are still corporeal that we can speak with people in spirit, whom we value, whenever we and they choose and feel the gentle pressure of their hand, lips or hugs.
Thanks, Uncle Ray. Iโm not quite evolved enough to stop seeing it as a loss. Maybe someday.
For now, I still miss the earthly versions of the people I love. I miss the sound of their voices, the comfort of their presence, and the warmth of their hugs more than I know how to put into words.
I wasn't criticising you or others for your perspective on death, loss and grief. It hasn't to do with evolution, either. My position was the response to literally watching many men, up to 25 years younger than I was, dying. My new perspective was offered to me by a guy with HIV, who was also a doula, in SF in the late 80s. He was dealing with 40 or more people that he knew each week "dying". I also had a great aunt (I never met her), who was a trance medium. She gave messages, from those who had passed as spirit, to their families and loved ones in physical bodies.
It is not to my credit. I understand and sympathise with any one who feels loss.
Thank you for sharing your experience, Uncle Ray. Sending much love and light always!
I always find time while perusing Substack to drop in on CP. Iโm so glad to have found this today. So pleasantly revealed and shared, so thank you. Excellently written and hopefully cathartic. It opened windows in my soul. How surprisingly similar we as human beings share such emotions. Thanks so much for sharing. Cheers
Thank you, Christopher. I appreciate your kindness more than words can convey. I hope you and yours are doing well. Cheers!
### Brian, goddamns bloody spell checker
Hahaha. Oh, I think itโs perfect for the occasion! Cheers, my dears!
๐๐ Rian a floral bunch for Miss Janice and your old friend and ๐ a bunch for your own wellbeing. Many regards DougT ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ๐ฌ๐ง
Thank you, Dear DougโฆIโll pass along your virtual flowers to my friend and his family. :-*
Thank you, Jim. Remembering some good times today. Hope youโre doing great! ๐ซ๐