I did my duty and sat with Steve, and told him the reasons I Ioved him and the family. Today was both wonderful and terrible, and selfishly, I'm grateful I get to go home at night and be alone.
After I tape the show tomorrow I will go back. Steve is likely to die overnight, but the family will keep the body at home for a day as is old tradition so that everyone can spend time, or not, as they wish, and accommodate themselves to it.
We had Lisa laid out at home for a day and overnight before we called the funeral home. We would have done the burial ourselves by hand, but she had wanted to donate her body to the medical school. I don't know if it will be cremation or med school for Steve.
We'll have a shorter window tomorrow, as the weather is very hot and there's no air conditioning at the Carlson house (they're hippie eco freaks, god love 'em. I don't think the solar panels have enough juice lol!).
Remember: you do not have to call a funeral home until you're ready. It's fine to die at home and have the corpse there in bed, or in a coffin if you have one, for as long as people need to say goodbye. You call the undertaker when you're ready; there is no clock ticking, and there is no legal requirement to call 911 for an elderly, expected death.
Tonight is the blessed peace of a whole milligram of Klonopin.
That was beautifully written, Josh. Thank you for bearing your heart and soul. The Carlsons sound like they lived a good life and passed away in a manner that I hope to do so (in the distant future) - surrounded by love. Please be in peace over the next several days.
🤗 When all is said, and the dying is done, take comfort in knowing your friend will always be with you when memories come to call, and a certain aroma or time of day or song triggers a memory, bittersweet at first but as time passes only the sweet remain.
I did my duty and sat with Steve, and told him the reasons I Ioved him and the family. Today was both wonderful and terrible, and selfishly, I'm grateful I get to go home at night and be alone.
After I tape the show tomorrow I will go back. Steve is likely to die overnight, but the family will keep the body at home for a day as is old tradition so that everyone can spend time, or not, as they wish, and accommodate themselves to it.
We had Lisa laid out at home for a day and overnight before we called the funeral home. We would have done the burial ourselves by hand, but she had wanted to donate her body to the medical school. I don't know if it will be cremation or med school for Steve.
We'll have a shorter window tomorrow, as the weather is very hot and there's no air conditioning at the Carlson house (they're hippie eco freaks, god love 'em. I don't think the solar panels have enough juice lol!).
Remember: you do not have to call a funeral home until you're ready. It's fine to die at home and have the corpse there in bed, or in a coffin if you have one, for as long as people need to say goodbye. You call the undertaker when you're ready; there is no clock ticking, and there is no legal requirement to call 911 for an elderly, expected death.
Tonight is the blessed peace of a whole milligram of Klonopin.
Virtual hugs, sweet man.
I'm sorry. Steve and all the family sound wonderful. I'm glad you can be with him, but it's never easy.
Bless you, Josh. ❤️
You are the best kind of human.( And thanks for making me cry on my lunch break.)
Ack! I need to talk death and hospice with you! For the doula thing. I got distracted
My schedule is open. Book when you like. :)
Also I hope you’re doing well. You’re a genuinely *good* person.
My entire family is long dead, and I hope I die before my wife, so I'll never have to go through all of this again except as the protagonist.
Sending you strength and support. Thanks for this beautiful tribute. I got choked up at the end.
Most people aren’t so fortunate to be surrounded by such love in their final moments. Gratitude to all who did their part and stepped up at the end.
What a blessing to be there. Hard, but a blessing.
That was beautifully written, Josh. Thank you for bearing your heart and soul. The Carlsons sound like they lived a good life and passed away in a manner that I hope to do so (in the distant future) - surrounded by love. Please be in peace over the next several days.
Josh … what you are doing is brave and courageous and HARD Be good to yourself. Your world will be rocked , even if it is normal.
Don’t forget to open the window when he goes , I can’t remember where the tradition comes from but I think it’s a good one ….
I am crying…
Beautifully written. It sounds like the best last day anyone can wish for.
p.s. fyi (unrelated):
https://substack.com/@davidshohl/note/c-61149744?r=jw7ve&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
Thank you, David.
God bless all y’all. ❤️🌻
🤗 When all is said, and the dying is done, take comfort in knowing your friend will always be with you when memories come to call, and a certain aroma or time of day or song triggers a memory, bittersweet at first but as time passes only the sweet remain.
Good man Josh. It’s an odd thing to say but embrace this. It’s meaningful as you know.