Hoping Good Friday is Better than Not-So-Good Thursday

Today was a tough day. I woke up to learn of the death of Tim Hetherington. Hetherington and Sebastian Junger were the journalists who reported from the Korengal Valley in Afghanistan while my cousin was stationed there.  I think it is important for people to understand what our young people in the armed forces are up against when they are sent to war. My cousin wasn't even old enough to legally drink alcohol when he was deployed to the place considered the most dangerous and deadly for the U.S. military. I don't think people really grasp what our troops sacrifice for us. Hetherington and Junger risked their own lives to bring us the stories of these soldiers. Their in-depth article for Vanity Fair is well worth the time it takes to read it. J.C. and I also recently watched their Oscar-nominated movie, Restrepo, a documentary filmed at the Restrepo Outpost in the Korengal Valley. It is raw. It is war. It is hard to watch, but it is excellent. It is exactly how my cousin had described his experiences there. It is on Netflix streaming right now. Watch it. Tim Hetherington was killed yesterday while he and several photographers came under fire in Misurata, Libya.  His death is a loss for all of us.

In the afternoon, my cousin Lisa's son posted to her blog. Things aren't good. Matthew quoted his mom as saying that she doesn't want to be alive if she can't live.  Based on that, for her sake, I hope her life doesn't go on much longer. We will all miss her, but none of us want her having to endure life the way it is now. Lisa has worked with friends to plan her own memorial service. As unnatural as that must feel, I have to say that the two most wonderful, moving memorial services I have attended have been for friends who died of cancer and participated in planning their own services. One was for a friend with melanoma. He wanted the ten songs that he had declared, "the top ten rock and roll songs of all time" played at his service. That's what they did, and it was the perfect tribute to him. Another was for a friend with breast cancer whose service included a Harley Davidson ride on the way to the church. Seeing all her friends in the church in their leather jackets and pants was just what she wanted. I'm glad to hear that Lisa has found some peace in planning her own service. I just hate that her life has come to this. I will miss her.

By late afternoon, my allergies that seem to be morphing into a sinus infection left me feeling miserable. About the time I decided to leave work early to go home for a nap, J.C. called to say that the elementary school had called. Nina was throwing up, so he was on his way to pick her up.

What a day... too much sadness, too much illness. I hope Good Friday is "more good" than today.

Comments

[Barbara Eldridge]

Dear Ann:
Even though this Good Friday is not her birthday, your mother was born on Good Friday, so that makes it a good day!
Love,
Barbie

[Robinlynnb]

I hope you and Nina are feeling better tomorrow! I am so sorry to hear your cousin is doing worse- sending her P&PTs

[Sue McCoy]

It's so wonderful that your cousin is involved with the planning of her memorial. It's the next best thing to her being there. At Mother's recent service, I said that it's too bad one can't have their service while they're still alive to experience it, hear the wonderful comments/stories, see the beautiful flowers, reminice over the photo montage video, be surprised at the music thoughtfully chosen, and be amazed at how many people make the effort to travel and attend to honor her and comfort her grieving family.

btw, I sent you a time-sensitive email to your work email today regarding discounts on track-out camp.

[Holly S.]

I'm so sorry for such a tough day - that certainly qualifies as such. Love you Ann.

[jill]

I'm so sorry Ann:( Thoughts and prayers coming your way!