[HER] ODYSSEY . . . of transient into the “hereafter”

{I have taken the liberty of removing the names for privacy.  This was written by my father, there is much more, but that is special, and reserved for family}

The travel through life offers many opportunities, some taken and others rejected.

As the sunset of life begins to set on the western horizon, a glow of happiness brightens for a period of time; noting the success of your children, seeing the grandchildren and maybe if we are lucky to see the grandchildren begin their lives after college with boyfriends leading to marriage.  Alas, another generation begins as this generation ends.

Thus the word “Odyssey” is contemplated.  Od-ys-sey: an ancient Greek epic poem scribed to Homer, about the wanderings of Odysseus during the ten years after the fall of Troy – n.  pl, seys  any extended wandering or journey – Od’ya’se’an   adj.   If we think of traveling, then itinerant, journeyer, move, locomotion.  Traveler brings up the word “transient guest”, which “methinks” appropriate in terms of “one’s life”.  Still Odyssey really nails the meaning; these last months or longer, of life.  We are changing our customary, feel good, comfortable way of life to that of uncertainty each day brings when death looms and the functioning body, lacking energy and nutrition, begins to fail.

[She] has had a series of diseases and procedures.  Being of a stout Iowan character such interruptions in life did not prevent her from doing those things she was determined to do.  Those interruptions of life include a 1962 diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, 1989 cataracts removed from both eyes, 1995 breast cancer found and removal of right breast with reconstruction which resulted in a large hard hump, 1999 breast cancer in left breast which too was removed, and 2004 Charcot Foot (which is an interesting bone phenomena).  [The Doctor], an Oncologist from India, explained to [us] that her life expectancy with cancer would be about five years.  It has been sixteen years, plus.

… The thought occurred it would be interesting to write […] about the happenings of this odyssey of life that [my wife] and I will now travel.

As always, my father sees the cup 1/2 full, I hope I measure up to be 1/2 the man my father is.

{While there is a strong urge for me to write more, it would add no value.}