Remembering Bliss

My daddy died a year ago today and the past year has been filled with sadness, growth, and remembrance. We were going to drive down to Alton, IL to visit my father’s grave, but after reflection and growth we decided to drive out and spend the day with my mother instead. Although my dad was important to me, my mother is still here and I know that my dad would rather I spend time enjoying my mother and being there for her instead of visiting his grave.

We spent the day remembering my dad by spending time doing things he enjoyed. We drove out to the Savanna Army Depot and enjoyed the view out along the Mississippi. My father loved the Mississippi and being there reminded me so much of my dad. My mom told us that the Savanna Army Depot was one of the last places she visited with my dad before he went into the hospital for the last time.
After our drive along the Mississippi, we headed to Bellevue, IA to look for eagles along the Mississippi. Bald eagles winter along the river and normally you can see at least a few of them diving and soaring in the rivers. My parents spent many happy days visiting the river to look for eagles and, during the summer, having picnics along the river and watching the boats go through the Lock and Dam. This was a favored summertime activity when Sean and Caitlin visited their grandparents and I am so glad that they have many happy memories of days spent visiting the river with their grandparents.
After eating dinner in a small diner along the river, we drove back to my mom’s house and she told us how happy we were that we’d come out to spend the day with her and how it made what was a difficult day a little bit easier. She also shared with me that she’d had several dreams over the past year where she had dreamed that my father had come to visit her. She’d seen him standing at the foot of her bed a few times and once she’d seen him sitting in a chair in the living room. It made me feel good that my father’s love had endured and that he was still watching over my mother.
I will always miss my father, but it hurts a little bit less to share memories of him with those I love and to know that he will always be a part of my life.

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Raine Shakti

Raine Shakti believes in living her life cairn by cairn and in helping others learn to do the same. Her day job is in the training and communications field and her best professional experiences are when she is able to empower people. She has spent the last few years reclaiming her life and her inner warrior. Part of this journey was becoming an ordained priestess with the Fellowship of Isis. Her Matron deities are Nephthys who has helped her become a true virgin woman, the Morrigan who has taught her what it means to be sovereign, and Yemaya who has taught her the strength in having a loving heart.

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