Carole Knits

october zinnia
october zinnia
martinis with a view
martinis with a view
gettysburg fence for
gettysburg fence for
germinate shawl on rocks
germinate shawl on rocks
field of flags 2
field of flags 2
color affection with edge
color affection with edge
cedar leaf shawlette 2
cedar leaf shawlette 2
3_27_2014
3_27_2014
3_18_13
3_18_13
2_24_2014
2_24_2014
1_11_13
1_11_13
peony-bouquet-for-carole-knits
peony-bouquet-for-carole-knits
dale-and-jackie-for-carole-knits
dale-and-jackie-for-carole-knits
nightshift-progress-for-carole-knits
nightshift-progress-for-carole-knits

ABC Along Adventures of Dale and Carole Arthritis Ask Me Anything Birthdays Bloggers Books Buy More Yarn Charity Knitting Circular Sock Machine Contests Crochet Dyeing Epic Sock Blanket Eye Candy Friday Feeling Crafty Fiber Festivals Food Good, Bad, Ugly Hmmm Joyful Wednesday Knitting Knitting Olympics Macro Monday March Money Madness Memes Mittens Monday On My Mind Movies Museum of Me Mutterings My Backyard NaBloPoMo One Little Word Patterns Photography Project Spectrum Quilting Random Ravelry Read With Us Reenacting Run For Your Life Saturday Posts Selfies Sewing Show & Tell Sock Knitting Spinning Sunday Funnies Swaps Ten on the Tenth Ten on Tuesday Thankfulness That's Life Think Write Thursday Three Things Throwback Thursday Thursday Things Uncategorized Vacations Wordless Words in the Wild

  • Home
  • Carole Julius Photography
You are here: Home / That's Life / Weekending

Weekending

October 24, 2016 By Carole

flying-bridge-view-for-carole-knits

This weekend was good. Different. But still good. And as I sit here and type that it was a good weekend, well, it feels strange, because the better part of this weekend was spent with my dear friend Doreen as she and her family mourned the death of her brother Todd.

But, you know, this is what we (as good humans) do. When we have a friend who is grieving, when we have a friend who is hurting, when we have a friend that we can help – we show up. We suspend our plans and schedules. We go to wakes and funerals. We send flowers and help with tributes and set aside everything because it is in these small moments – the moments when we hold hands and shed tears and sing hymns and pray – these are the moments when we know what it is to be alive.

I believe that it is a sacred privilege to be a part of this process and I am so grateful that I could be there with Doreen. It was an incredible honor to help her put her memories in words and then to read those words aloud for her at the gathering after Todd’s funeral. It wasn’t easy and it certainly wasn’t something I planned, but when my friend of 32 years looked at me and said, “I can’t do this. Will you do this for me?,” I swallowed hard and said, “Yes. Of course. It will be my honor.”

So, while some parts of the weekend were spent reading and knitting, watching football and drinking beer, taking photos and prepping for our Halloween party, the most important parts – the parts that will stay with Dale and I – are the parts where we were privileged to mourn with our friends.

It’s the price of love. It’s what we do. And it’s so so worth it.

Related posts:

Default ThumbnailWeekending Default ThumbnailWeekending Default ThumbnailWeekending Default ThumbnailWeekending
« Eye Candy Friday
Tuesdays Are For Reading? »

Filed Under: That's Life

Comments

  1. Jo-Ann says

    October 24, 2016 at 6:04 am

    And that, precisely and perfectly, sums up why you are such a tremendous friend. So very glad you could be there for Doreen.

  2. Sean says

    October 24, 2016 at 6:31 am

    So very well put…it is the price of love.

  3. Robby says

    October 24, 2016 at 7:36 am

    Friends, the family we choose. You have aptly described when we are at our best as friends and fellow human beings on this planet together. Hope there were times of rejuvenation in it even as you gave of yourself to those in need.

  4. AsKatKnits says

    October 24, 2016 at 7:40 am

    The most difficult times in life are somehow made bearable by the love and support of friends. XO

  5. Patty says

    October 24, 2016 at 8:38 am

    Friendship is the biggest gift in life. I’m glad you were able to be there for your friend. xo

  6. Bonny says

    October 24, 2016 at 8:48 am

    Cards, flowers, and sympathy are all important, but the most important thing we can do is to Be There. You are indeed a good friend and human being. Condolences to you, Doreen, and her family.

  7. Vera says

    October 24, 2016 at 9:13 am

    So well put Carole. So glad you could be there for Doreen. Friendship is a precious gift for sure.

  8. Donna says

    October 24, 2016 at 9:59 am

    My condolences to Doreen. It’s a tough loss – and she is lucky to have a friend who understands so well. I’m glad the rest of your weekend went well.

  9. Marcy says

    October 24, 2016 at 10:14 am

    So sorry for everyone’s loss. What a great friend you are. Your beautiful writing always lingers with me.

  10. Jo says

    October 24, 2016 at 1:02 pm

    More than anything you could offer, the gift of your presense is the most cherished.

  11. margene says

    October 24, 2016 at 2:08 pm

    So sad for Doreen’s loss. You are a fine friend (you’ve always been there for me) and you’re right about it being the price of love, but also the privilege of love and a gift of (your) love.

  12. sprite says

    October 24, 2016 at 4:04 pm

    My sympathies go to Doreen and her family. I hope your ability and willingness to be there for her helped make a horrible time more bearable.

  13. Mary says

    October 24, 2016 at 7:20 pm

    I’m so sorry for Doreen and her family’s loss…but grateful she has you as a friend. Wishing everyone peace. xo.

  14. Susan Lemire says

    October 24, 2016 at 10:29 pm

    So beautifully described, Carole. You are truly a good friend

  15. Honore´ says

    October 25, 2016 at 1:11 pm

    Thank you for your friendship love, support during these difficult times. Peace for your friend and her family and you.

  16. Lydia S says

    October 25, 2016 at 6:30 pm

    This the true measure of love and friendship.

Archives

carole AT caroleknits DOT net
my read shelf:
Carole's book recommendations, liked quotes, book clubs, book trivia, book lists (read shelf)

2021 Reading Challenge

2021 Reading Challenge
Carole has read 15 books toward her goal of 75 books.
hide
15 of 75 (20%)
view books

carolejuliusphoto

Friday night snacks look better from here. And als Friday night snacks look better from here. And also, I’m not oblivious to today’s news, I’m devastated. I’m also extra grateful to (a) live in Massachusetts and (b) be privileged enough to ignore it for right now while on vacation. #fridaynightsnacks #martinitime #baysidemaine #cheeseandcrackers #myhappyplace
Pizza night. What can I say? Wednesday is the new Pizza night. What can I say? Wednesday is the new Friday. #oonipizzaoven @ooni.it #pizzanight #outdoorliving #margaritapizza #imadeitmyself #homemadeisbest
Happy FriYay, friends! #fridaynightsnacks #friyayn Happy FriYay, friends! #fridaynightsnacks #friyaynight #helloweekend #martinitime #cheeseandcrackers #charcuterie #outdoorliving
Happy Sunday from Fred and George! #sundaymorningv Happy Sunday from Fred and George! #sundaymorningvibes #siamesecatsofinstagram #siamesecats #fredandgeorge
Friday night is pizza night these days. And those Friday night is pizza night these days. And those napkins? They sum up the secret to our 25 (next Tuesday!) year marriage! #oonipizzaoven #fridaynightsnacks #peaceloveandcocktails
It’s a perfect June morning for Sunday brunch un It’s a perfect June morning for Sunday brunch under the pergola. #sundaybrunch #brunchalfresco #pergolaliving #outdoorliving #inmybackyard #juneismyfavoritemonth
My patriotism is sorely lacking at the moment. Sti My patriotism is sorely lacking at the moment. Still, I’m grateful to head into Memorial Day weekend focusing on the good, remembering those who gave the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country, seeking common ground and (always) looking for hope. If all that fails, at least I’ve got a martini. And snacks. #fridaynightsnacks #memorialdayweekend2022 #cheeseandcrackers #martinitime
I love a hotel conference room with a view! #massl I love a hotel conference room with a view! #masslib2022 #libraryconference #aroomwithaview
Flower haul, day 2. #flowersaremagical #containerg Flower haul, day 2. #flowersaremagical #containergardening #timetoplant #givemealltheplants
It was a good day for plant shopping, my annual tr It was a good day for plant shopping, my annual tradition with my gardening bestie @doemack87 . I think we even left some plants behind … maybe. 🤣 #plantshopping #containergardening #plantsgalore #flowersaremagical
Pizza perfection tonight! Margherita for me and pe Pizza perfection tonight! Margherita for me and pepperoni for him. I’m loving our @oonihq pizza oven. #oonipizzaoven #ooni #margheritapizza #pepperonipizza #homemadeisbest #imadeitmyself #summernights
Fred has assured me that there is no pea under tha Fred has assured me that there is no pea under that pile of quilts. #fredandgeorge #siamesecatsofinstagram #siamesecat #princessandthepea #pileofquilts
First al fresco breakfast of the season, air fryer First al fresco breakfast of the season, air fryer hash browns with avocado and crispy fried eggs. Delicious! And so nice to enjoy under the pergola. #breakfastalfresco #inmybackyard #airfryerhashbrown
Fridays on the deck are the best Fridays of all. # Fridays on the deck are the best Fridays of all. #fridaynightsnacks #martinitime #cheeseandcrackers #happyhourathome #itsspringbutfeelslikesummer
Ranunculus season is short, gotta enjoy these beau Ranunculus season is short, gotta enjoy these beauties while we can. #ranunculus #flowersaremagical #springblooms #crossstreetflowerfarm
Two kitties in a basket! #fredandgeorge #siameseca Two kitties in a basket! #fredandgeorge #siamesecatsofinstagram #siamesecorner #siamesecats
It’s Friday night, friends. Time for snacks. Ooo It’s Friday night, friends. Time for snacks. Ooof, what a week. #fridaynightsnacks #cheeseandcrackers #martinitime #thosenapkinsthough #iwishiwasaunicornsoicouldstabpeoplewithmyhead #fuckyouscotus
Egg in the hole for breakfast this Saturday mornin Egg in the hole for breakfast this Saturday morning. So delicious with @paindavignoncafe bread and local eggs. #saturdaymorningvibes #egginthehole #itswhatsforbreakfast #localfood #eatlocal
In this week’s adventures with the Ooni, we have In this week’s adventures with the Ooni, we have expanded to pepperoni. It’s quite good! @ooni.it #oonipizzaoven #homemadeisbest #pepperonipizza #pizzafriday #fridaynightsnacks
Hoppy Spring! #happyspring #happyeaster #easterdec Hoppy Spring! #happyspring #happyeaster #easterdecor #daffodilbouquet
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Categories

ABC Along Adventures of Dale and Carole Birthdays Bloggers Books Charity Knitting Contests Eye Candy Friday Feeling Crafty Fiber Festivals Food Good, Bad, Ugly Hmmm Knitting Knitting Olympics Macro Monday Memes Monday On My Mind Movies One Little Word Photography Project Spectrum Quilting Random Read With Us Reenacting Run For Your Life Saturday Posts Selfies Show & Tell Sock Knitting Spinning Sunday Funnies Swaps Ten on Tuesday Thankfulness That's Life Think Write Thursday Three Things Throwback Thursday Thursday Things Uncategorized Vacations Wordless Words in the Wild

Copyright 2014 Carole Knits · Log in