(no subject)

[cathschaffstump]

Bryon writes to say that his dad is dying peacefully. He's in a hospice room, they're giving him morphine, and he hasn't been conscious since Tuesday. His bodily functions have stopped except for breathing. His lungs are filling up, and they think it will be any time. I've had my opportunity to say goodbye before the trip. When you know someone is terminal, you wisely take those last moments about every chance you get.

Bryon doesn't think I could be of much use right now. And he's probably right. When you love your spouse, you try to do the best you can by them. Thanks to the Internet and Catrina's phone, he has my words and my love. He'll have my presence soon enough. This is hard on both of us now. It will be over soon. I will be home soon.

I will do what I can with the rest of my time here. It's taken some of the zip out of my vacation, obviously, However, this is what being an adult is. Life is full of these sorts of things, whether they are minor or they are game changers. We do the best we can with the circumstances we're given every day, and we try to answer them with measured, intelligent responses. This time Bryon and I have decided that the emotional comfort gained by my return would not offset the further fiscal outlay for the trip.

That seems cold to me. When I was young, I would have struggled to embrace the drama of my situation, money be damned. But yes, my presence changes essentially nothing about this situation, and I will be there for the important business of helping Bryon and his mother grieve when I get home. Being grown up and practical sure does sting.

I'm sure there's a story in this some where that might be cathartic. Which could be all right. A little cathart, that is.

Just so you know, I am doing the things I came to do. Catrina and I spent part of yesterday at the Norwegian Folk Museum. The trip has been great just for catching the aspects of what it means to be part of this culture. We will visit the National Gallery and Akershus Castle tomorrow.

I think all of the natural beauty of the next two days at the fjords will really help me with the heart of the next troll book, as well as the condition of my heart right now.

It goes without saying that the troll book rewrite and its sequel will be devoted to Neal and Phyllis now. I'm sure that doesn't mean anything to anyone but me, but it is enough that it means it to me.

See you all stateside soon.

Catherine

Mirrored from Writer Tamago.