I love that and wish we could all be a butterfly, visiting all before flying upward..

I'm sorry for your losses, Koala. That is a lot to have to bear.

Also, I wanted to compliment this M.S. community for the great support you are to each other.

Some days there is laughter here; some days sorrow; some days advice is wanted; and some days just good conversation is shared.
Whatever it is, there is always support, true caring, and friendship.

Keep being there for each other. It's so important and can make a big difference in someone's life.

God's blessings to each of you,
Tonya

Was driving down the road with my father one day and he unexpectantly said: "You know....when your grandparents die, you think...well they were old.
Then your parents die and you think....I'm next".
So he went through this pondering too.

I also remember my mother in law going through the obituaries every day concluding; "Good! I'm not in the obits today!"
And then one day she was. She had also told me that there would come a time when those I know and love with start dying like leaves falling off a tree. I guess she had done some pondering too.

When my mom died 2 years ago, she was the last of my grandparents, parents and in laws to die. I could not help but think about what my father had said to me so long ago....yep, I'm next. Guess its my turn to ponder.

So sorry for your recent losses. To lose so many in a short amount of time would turn anyone's head and cause us to pause and mourn.

But to tell you honestly....I look at the obituaries every day now and exclaim; "Good! I'm not in the obits today!

Sorry for the loss, Koala...

There is a Zen Koan...

A young monk in training was walking by a cemetery...his teacher was standing over the marker of one who had recently passed, wailing in emotional pain.
The young one walked over to his teacher, and asked, "Teacher, you told us that we must live in the moment and not mourn death...why do you cry for this soul then, teacher?"
His teacher turned to look at him with a tear-streaked face.
"Have you learned nothing, child?" he asked.

What I got from that is we understand intellectually that our lives here are part of a long journey of the soul, and that as Craig said our vessels are left behind.
But it is inherent in our human imperfection to also mourn for the void that occurs when that soul passes...

I still cry for and miss my mom...and she's been gone for 36 years...and I know for sure that she is at peace and unburdened by the life she lived...but I still miss the hell out of her...

Hi Koala,

Checking in today to follow up on how you are doing and especially how are you feeling now? It's been a challenging week for you and I didn't want you to think I disregarded you or your feelings after my last post.

Feeling any better after possibly looking at things from different angles?

Thank you for asking Craig. I am feeling a bit better today. I think it helped to talk about how I was feeling and it's nice to know that what I was feeling was considered reasonable in the circumstances.

Same here Debbie, and for almost as long.

Thank you also to everyone else who replied, and I'm sorry if I gave you a bad dream Sally.

more than reasonable, Koala...expected.