The end of an era

Goomp left this mortal coil yesterday afternoon. We three siblings knew the time was near. He'd withdrawn of late, unable to hear much of anything, not even asking about the cats last time our sis visited him at the "home" the other day. A different kind of news than when Mummy died of ALS twenty-one! years ago. We knew she was doomed to only a few weeks back then, but when it's just old age, who knows? We need to talk.

Goomp always said he didn't want a funeral. No formal speeches or viewing of the corpse. We WERE Unitarians, after all. Turns out Tuck and I feel the same way. Just have a hell of a drinking party. We two had a talkfest of a wake last evening and will join bro and sis and sis-in-law this afta for more reminiscing.

Our fave remembrance of the Goomp, known before grandchildren as just plain Daddy, was his teaching us what it meant to sail on wilder seas. You don't just flop around. You keep your eye on the luff and constantly adjust your heading to find the stars. He always trusted us to be all that we could be. Thank you, Daddy. Love you so much:

Disturb us Lord, when
We are too pleased with ourselves,
_{When our dreams have come true
Because we dreamed too little,
When we arrived safely
Because we sailed too close to the shore…}

_{Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly,
To venture on wilder seas
Where storms will show Your mastery;
Where losing sight of land,
We shall find the stars.}

Arthur Chesterton Jameson

AKA The Old Salt, Goomp, Ahtie

November 14, 1919 - September 12, 2014

 

Comments

[pam]

My deepest condolences, Sissy and family. :(

[Sissy Willis]

Thank you, dearest

[Phineas]

My sympathies; this is never an easy time. That was a loving tribute.

[Elisson]

So sorry to hear this news. My condolences on your having joined that selfsame club of which I am a reluctant member. May many years of good memories provide consolation.

Ave atque vale, Goomp!

[Carol Ward]

Sissy
It has been a busy couple months, and I haven't been wandering through sites as much - so today was the first time I saw your post.
Belated condolences on your loss, and wishes for good winds for Goomp in the great beyond.