La versión español está después de la versión inglés.
I’VE BEEN KIND of miserable lately. Not every minute, but just not quite right at times. And I’ve been blaming it on different things. A problem with a friend. Coronavirus scare stories. The Orange Cheeto in Washington… Anyway, I finally realized that this month is the anniversary of my sister Dale’s death.
I used to be obsessed with memories of Dale (and, unfortunately, her death) at this time of year. In recent years, however, I haven’t even been consciously aware of why I was so off my game until the day actually hit. It’s been 39 years. She wasn’t even 30 when she died and I can barely imagine who she would be now. Anyway, it once again explains my mood. And that, at least, is helpful to know. So, the mood has improved. Time to remember the good things and simply keep on moving.
I heard a frog chirping its mating call yesterday and managed to track it (and two others) from quite some distance. They were doing their courting around part of a marble column (Roman-era?) that washed down from the hills during our one and only rainstorm last month.
Dale would have enjoyed the frog sighting and today’s photos. She was an animal lover. The first time she ever saw a garden slug, she thought it was beautiful. “Don’t kill it!” she said. That’s Dale in a nutshell.
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HE SIDO UN poco miserable últimamente. No cada minuto, pero a veces no del todo bien. Y lo he estado atribuyendo a cosas diferentes. Un problema con un amigo. Coronavirus historias de miedo. El Cheeto Naranja en Washington … De todos modos, finalmente me di cuenta de que este mes es el aniversario de la muerte de mi hermana Dale.
Solía estar obsesionado con los recuerdos de Dale (y, desafortunadamente, su muerte) en esta época de años. Sin embargo, en los últimos años, ni siquiera he sido consciente de por qué estaba tan fuera de juego hasta que llegó el día. Han pasado 39 años. Ni siquiera tenía 30 años cuando murió y apenas puedo imaginar quién sería ahora. De todos modos, una vez más explica mi estado de ánimo. Y eso, al menos, es útil saberlo. Y, entonces, el estado de ánimo ha mejorado. Es hora de recordar las cosas buenas y simplemente seguir avanzando.
Ayer escuché a una rana cantando su llamada de apareamiento y logré rastrearla (y a otras dos) desde bastante distancia. Estaban cortejando alrededor de una columna de mármol (¿de época romana?) Que cayó de las colinas durante nuestra única tormenta el mes pasado.
Dale habría disfrutado el avistamiento de ranas y las fotos de hoy. Ella era una amante de los animales. La primera vez que vio una babosa de jardín, pensó que era hermosa. “¡No lo mates!” ella dijo. Eso es Dale en pocas palabras.
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“But it brings back sweet memories of you.”
“Pero te trae dulces recuerdos de ti.”
It is such a scary upsetting time – for everyone. You are definitely not alone in the way you are feeling. So lovely that you had a kind beautiful brilliant sister to look up to. Even though she is gone you always have that sweet memory of her
Cheapchick:
You’re absolutely right. Some of my best memories from childhood revolve around her. I was very lucky!
Anniversaries are tough and hearts always remember them. Hugs to you, Mitchell.
Debra:
Yeah, I finally understand that phrase, “The heart remembers.” Doing well again. Lots of joyful memories.
Anniversary grief is a real thing, dear Scoot. Most of it is subconscience (that’s not how that’s speld) and you have to think on why you’re blue at the time. Balder Half didn’t understand why he got so down in October. I told him that was the month his mom died. He didn’t believe me until the following October when it happened again. I go thru this sh…uh, stuff every year from October thru December. December is particularly rough because of my sister’s murder and a good friend’s death within a week of each other. Knowing the reason why on these things helps a lot. Hugs sweet, Scoot. Hell, I’ll throw in a forehead kiss for good measure 🙂
Deedles:
That forehead kiss did the trick! Dale used to do that to check my temperature when we were kids!!! (I was sick a lot… She would sayd, “Sick Pill. Take a pill.”
Yes, certain times of year are more difficult than others for sure. And throw in the full moon to boot and that only adds to things.
The love you have for your sister, Dale, is SO full of positive energy, Mitch, that what you two continue to share is remarkably good.
Loved that tune at the end! I remember those kids…..what fun they had getting into trouble!
Jim:
There are so many absolutely wonderful memories of Dale. Doing well again just thinking about those.
As you noticed on FB yours and my sadness are compounded by the timing (March 9th). My Mom’s passing was exactly on the same physical day calendar day as it was in 1998. I had begun over these 22 years to slide the saddest moments far away realizing the happy times were so plentiful. However, this year things began to snowball. With passing of Jim’s father, Sophie and a friend on the w/e…. well crash rest dummy time. So much better the day after, that is today. The Little Rascals were my go-to joy as a child….as you have cleverly expressed in this vid!
Hugs to you both as always.
crash test that should be…. but a crash rest will do me just fine…. Winks
Ron:
And the former professional editor didn’t even notice that typo. I read it as it was intended!
Ron:
Hope the Little Rascals made you smile. I still regularly do their routines with The Kid Brother… sometimes whether I want to or not. Sorry for all you’ve been through and have been feeling lately. But I guess we can’t feel loss if we haven’t felt love.
Darn you Mitchell!!!!!!!! A jumped a mile high from that damn frog. Yuuuuuuuuuck!!!! I can’t stand frogs
Mistress Maddie:
I am SO sorry. I thought of you when i posted those photos… but I posted them anyway. At least I didn’t share a photo of the Crocs outlet shop at the new outlet mall last month (although I don’t think you even saw that post). I didn’t want to offend you. (But why would anyone need a Crocs OUTLET?)
I would want to be remembered, but I would want those memories to be happy. Loss is so complex,
David:
Except for the end and the fact that she’s gone, my memories of Dale focus on the happy. In many ways, she’s how I survived my childhood… and we DID have fun.
kyoot widdle froggies! I imagine dale would be a beautiful woman in her late 60s doing all kinds of fun and interesting things.
anne marie:
Oh, you know how families go. I figure Dale would still be beautiful. But sometimes I think she died young because that’s all there was for her. She had lived the best of it. Strange way to think, I guess, but she DID live well that short life she had.
Ribbit! The pond out back fills with frogs in spring. Their calls are loud and many, until you walk by, then they all shut up. Remember the singing frog from the Warner Brothers cartoon? Kind of like that.
Walt the Fourth:
Enrico! That cartoon frog disappeared for most of my childhood and returned for the Kid Brother. I think he was called Michigan J. Frog in those later years. I COULD look it up, but I have a feeling you’ll know. These frogs keep chirping because I’m still at a distance. There’s one little creek at the end of the Paseo where I’m up close and personal… and they shut up and I can never find them.
Remembering her is enough; remembering who she was to you and what she meant to you, and you to her,
I love that photo of her, it’s making me smile today.
Bob:
You’re right. Remembering her IS enough. She still makes me smile. I also remember when I was 13 and she was 16. We were having an argument. I called her a bum. She slapped me across the face and said, “Don’t you EVER use that language with me!” It’s a good thing she doesn’t know the shit that comes out of my mouth now.
❤
Nick,
Back atcha!