Until that time…

On November 1, 2023 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Personal Stories105 Comments

Whenever we’d say goodbye, he’d say, “Until that time…”

The call came at 2:16 am in the wee hours of Halloween. Our beloved dad and father-in-law took his last breath at 2:05. After being on hospice for three months, his body slowly declining, the suffering lingered.

Until that time when it was the right time for him…when his soul ascended to join the other spirits of Allhallows Eve.

He lived to be 100 years old! And he was a great man with a gentle heart. As much as the tears will come, we are comforted knowing that he is at peace and no longer in need of morphine. There is a whole host of family where he’s headed now, so he will be welcomed with open arms and reunited with loved ones who have been missed.

So, we are going to allow the feelings of sadness and grief to be felt. We will find comfort in precious memories. But most importantly, we will honor and celebrate this wonderful man who lived for over a century.

Our daughter and son visiting Grandpa in March of 2019.

I remember a poem that is written by my lovely friend, Selma Martin. It’s one of many that stood out from her beautiful poetry book, In the Shadow of Rainbows. After reading her words again, out loud for my husband to hear, we both agreed that this poem is perfect for his dad:

When Death Comes

When death comes
I don’t want to look back
lovelorn, empty, frightened
– Oh, no!
When death comes
I want to be led into eternity
curious, full of joy
knowing the world I leave
is better for the love I gave.

These words are my father-in-law. He was loving, nonjudgemental, a social butterfly, and his heart was full of joy! His life was not devoid of heartache and loss, but he always moved forward in the direction the silver lining guided him.

Thank you, Selma, for this profound poem that resonates with our family at this time. 🙏🏻

Thank you, Dad, for the love you gave. We were fortunate to have you as our father. You will always be in our hearts. ❤️

Until that time…when we will meet again…we love you! ❤️

From his son – until that time…

On August 29, 2023August 29, 2023 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry65 Comments

I look at the frail man
lying in the hospice bed
whose body is slowly giving up.
My eyes close.

Is he my father?
The pillar in my life?

It’s tough to accept
because
my father stands next to me
in the 8×10 frame
on the peak
of San Gorgonio mountain,
highest in Southern California.

At 65, he hiked
up and down that mountain,
18 miles round trip.
Sun hat, t-shirt, long pants,
smile, heart full of adventure,
this man, so full of life.

The end of his trail draws near.
Grief will find its way, no doubt.
and I will surrender,
then I will shout to the universe
in celebration
of the incredible man he used to be.

Until that time,
I look at his face,
I bend down to kiss him
on the forehead.
I focus on his good eye,
and I see my wonderful father
who stood beside me
on that mountain top.

© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com – All rights reserved.
My father-in-law always says, “Until that time.”

My latest release – click on the image to purchase your copy!

Thanks so much for visiting. ❤️

Heartbeat

On July 20, 2023 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Stories68 Comments

Henry was engrossed in a gripping James Patterson novel when his heart jumped a beat. The second episode this week. It skipped again. He called his daughter in the kitchen, and her fingers found the buttons on her cell for emergency. The sun was setting on this Friday when paramedics arrived. Henry was soon x-rayed. Linda called her older sister, and they learned from Dr. Roberts that their elderly dad’s heart was giving up. They knew their parents would soon be reunited. Monday morning, their loving father took his last breath. He would once again dance with his sweetheart.

_____________________________________________________________________________

© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com – All rights reserved.
Photo by Luan Rezende on Pexels.com

Beneath the Big, Golden Sun

On November 19, 2022 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry, Writing56 Comments

He was their hero when they were young,

teaching of nature beneath the big golden sun.

They tried on their packs before feet hit the trail.

He’d say, “Be prepared or else you could fail.”

The trio trekked down paths and up inclines, too,

pausing along the way to admire a flower or two.

After arriving in camp, they helped pitch the tent,

stakes in the ground, windows unzipped to vent.

As an Arborist, he educated them about trees

under the blue sky beside the buzzing honeybees.

He pointed out poison oak, a beautiful, green leaf,

“But if you touch, you’ll need itching relief!”

They explored the ground seeking burrowing bugs.

He expressed praise with words and loving hugs.

When the sun faded at the end of a day,

they roasted marshmallows, found dominoes to play.

His first goal was fun in nature, then came self-reliance.

Their minds were like sponges, soaking up the science.

Now they reminisce for the best teacher he was

and recall the bonding with the deepest of love.

Now he’s proud of them, adulting and doing it well,

honored with the memories, the special stories to tell.

She Listens

On October 12, 2022October 13, 2022 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry, Writing52 Comments

He cares for his father whose body tires
of everyday functions, pain raging at cyclone
force from ninety-nine years of living a lifetime.
Our emotions undulate –
who wishes to watch a loved one suffer?

Another week of work comes to an end.
With glass of wine in hand, we exhale
on the patio. Then the sun says,
“Good night, my dear friends,” as he
gently descends, making room for the moon.

And when the moon appears, Oh, My!
She takes our breath away!
Bright and bold as if she senses
we could use light in our souls.

We open the gate and walk into the street
for an unobstructed view. Under the
illumination, a woman pauses with
her dog, a husky mix, with fur
white as an arctic fox, another rescue,
she tells us, and our hearts leap with joy.

The moon pays attention to us as the
patio welcomes again.
Most importantly, she listens.
And though the stars act a bit bashful,
they eavesdrop and we are fine that they do.

The moon and stars hear us,
just an ordinary couple enjoying
a Friday evening but with heavy hearts.
Their absolute attention, imagine this,
out of all eyes gazing at the brilliant sky –
we know the moon’s lustrous presence is
for us alone, and we are aware that the
panoply of stars will shimmer into view soon.

Then we rise from our seats and head into
the house, feeling relaxed from the wine’s
fluidity, and appreciative that our troubles
have been received.

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For inspiration to notice surrounding beauty, to feel gratitude, to face challenges and fears while sipping your favorite coffee roast or a beverage of your choice, check out my latest book: More than Coffee.

Just Yesterday

On July 22, 2020July 23, 2020 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Musings51 Comments

Dressed up in satin and lace, I walked slowly down the aisle of the church sanctuary. Strolling arm in arm with my father, I loved hearing the swish from my dress with each graceful step. My eyes focused on my to-be-husband standing in front of the sanctuary. He looked quite dashing in his black tux. Wasn’t this special occasion just yesterday?
Yesterday that transported into thirty-one years of marriage.

Well, it was just yesterday when I saw the item sitting on the shelf: a gift from my bridal shower in 1988. I recall opening the box and pulling out a white mini food chopper. A great gift, but did I expect to keep it for three decades? I thought for sure it would’ve been replaced with an updated version sometime between then and now. Yet, over the years, it has stood the test of time, still working, and the only change is its color; instead of a glossy white, it’s now faded into a pale yellow.

The question is: should I replace the little food chopper because it looks weathered? If so, shouldn’t anything old be swapped out for a newer version? Think about cars. They may have all the parts, their engines may roar when the key is turned, but if they’re scraped up and bruised, shouldn’t they be traded in for shiny new models? Let’s expand our thinking even further: Should spouses sprouting gray hair, wearing mazes of facial wrinkles be substituted with younger partners? Is the end-all goal a better-looking copy?

Let’s do the math: if that mini chopper has aged, so have I and I am not going to be traded in. Buying brand-new, shiny, and flawless is exciting and I won’t lie and say that I never have, but sometimes the memories deep within are more valuable than the “item” itself. Regarding life partners, what about the good memories: the laughter, tears, adventures, intimacy, and the love both partners felt in the beginning when that spark ignited? This is why my faded chopper still sits on the shelf, rather content with the cookie sheets and mixing bowls.

I don’t know how long the chopper will stay in the family, but as long as it does, I’ll remember that Saturday afternoon: women gathered to celebrate my upcoming wedding day. Silly games brought fits of laughter, deep conversations evoked precious memories, words of wisdom were spoken by women who had lived through the cracks and crevices of life. Most importantly, my faded gift reminds me of when my mom and mother-in-law were still in my life. They were two amazing women with more stories to tell and wisdom to share and I miss them more than words convey.

Mom on my right and
my mother-in-law on my left.

So, if you’re questioning whether you should toss that old worn-out item even though it functions perfectly, allow yourself to pause in the moment, to reflect upon the wonderful memories.

The answer could just be in one of them.

Happy 94th Birthday, Dad! ♥

On October 14, 2013October 14, 2013 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Dedications53 Comments

I’m honoring my Dad’s 94th Birthday today!

At this “youthful” stage in his life, he still drives, enjoys reading my blog,
has a facebook now, meets a good friend for lunch often, remains active
in his church and is still going strong!
Someday, I’ll ask him again what the secret to a long life is…

Dad, I’m sending you a Blitz Torte (your favorite), but this time,
I didn’t make it myself.
You know I’m a great baker,
but this cake is not my specialty, it was Mom’s.
I was afraid mine would look like the California Earthquake cake again! 🙂
Remember that? I think Mom really enjoyed my attempt and had a good laugh!

There are no new words to say,
only those that have been repeated over the years…
Thank you for all you’ve done for your three daughters
and for all of their families. Your kindness and Love
doesn’t go unnoticed. Thank you for being our Pillar
and for being Mom’s true love.