Grateful for our team at work to be involved early in the process for next year’s planning and have the opportunity to consult and potentially influence direction. Briefly hung out with Norm and Laurel this evening. Was very happy to pay Ian to mow my lawn.
Got to meet a friend for lunch. Hungout with Norm and the GDFB’s for taco dinner and the first Packer preseason game. Was great to have some quality time with the boys. Almost felt normal again for a while.
While one typically does not look forward to or enjoy funeral services, they can be helpful in providing the beginnings of closure and can be a catalyst in beginning to transition into life without someone. I often say and am reminded once again, that funerals and services are for the living not for the dead. Today confirmed that for me again.
I am grateful and humbled to say good bye and pay respects to a truly great human being while supporting and being supported by family and friends.
Chuck’s family prepared a great slide show that was presented at the service; a lovely and fitting tribute.
Chuck Conklin
Got to do some actual process analysis and some training at work today. Things I rarely do anymore and really like. Had a mostly enjoyable dinner at the Pier at Edgewater.
Made it through a tough day at work and grateful for more extended family time and providing support over dinner and more arrangements.
Enjoyed a much needed ‘chill’ day. Did a solo breakfast at Green Forest restaurant. Got in a nap before heading over briefly for Erik’s birthday dinner. Later this evening caught up with the rest of the extended family after they got back from cottage and enjoyed dinner #2.
I got in a satsifying 5K solo run this morning. It was slow but am happy about the progress. Wrapped up a few things at the cottage and had a safe and uneventful trip back. Was glad to have missed all of the storms pounding the state at various points throughout the day. We were very fortunate not to have to deal with crappy driving weather. Made it back to Madison just in time for dinner with The Girls as part of Judy’s induction into the WIAC’s Inaugural Hall of Fame Class during their Centennial Celebration. Was honored to be invited and am very proud of Judy for her accomplishments in collegiate woman’s athletics.
Thankful to have made it safely back to cottage by 3:00 AM this morning. It was a day of support for the family and funeral logistics. There were nearly as many memories shared as tears shed; grappling with the shock and loss. It was hard not to think back to my own parent’s passings and how difficult that was. It was quite heartening to see so much of the extended family helping out, bringing food, and generally pitching in. This evening I sat with a couple of the “old bucks” (as my family would lovingly refer to them) and talked about history and legacy over a cigar and a couple of manhattans.
Late that night as I continued to process my thoughts and events from the recent days, I was underprepared for the emotional onslaught. I contemplated what I have brought to this lifetime and what my legacy might be and what I might be remembered for, if at all. I came up with a whole lot of nothing. I’d like to say it was a wakeup call but it felt more like that split second between when you fully realize that something awful is about to happen and right before it actually does. You can only grimace. This was a painful and grueling day; I had it much easier than most. Though it has been extremely difficult on on number of levels, I am grateful to have the awareness to be mindful through all of this. At least there’s hope I will get something productive out of it that way.
Was nice to sleep in my own bed last night. Reasonably productive day at work.
We received some terrible news early this evening. My good friend’s father died unexpectedly while swimming in Lake Superior late this afternoon. We had just spent the last few days with him at the cottage. A few of us mobilized quickly and headed back up to the cottage. I am grateful to be able to help out in whatever small ways that I can.
Day 5 (and final) of mini vacation. Good solo run this morning, did 5K’s worth. Enjoyed a laid back morning hanging out with the adopted family before packing up early afternoon. Mostly uneventful trip home, made it safely. Amazingly found the motivation to get everything unpacked, cleaned up and two loads of laundry finished before bed.
