This is a photoless post because though I got Box Elder's fine instructions (for which many thanks) for reducing photo sizes and have printed these for future use, I feel it's a bit late at night to try anything new. I'm not really good at new things in the technological line. Mr Life has just organised me to join Facebook - well, he did it last thing last night - and I haven't fully grasped what it's about, despite having just finished watching "The Social Network".
In fact, the film has made it all seem somewhat sinister, which it doubtless is in a way. I only want, pathetically, to read Daughter 2's ... um... page (is that the word? or do I mean wall?) to brighten up my life - though she phones more or less every day anyway so it's not as if we're out of touch. I never signed up for Facebook when my offspring were younger so as not to be instrusive but these days, Mr Life's on it (with her permission) and keeps me telling what Daughter 2 has posted so I reckoned that I could join too. I don't think the other two offspring use it much. And I don't think my friends do much either, though I could be wrong. Anyway, doubtless I'll get used to it, though forgetting my password between yesterday and today wasn't a brilliant start. I eventually remembered it.
A nice lady in our church, a lifelong keen cyclist, decided to do a 75-kilometre bike ride to celebrate her 75th birthday and to raise sponsorship money for the church. So she did. That was at the end of June. On Wednesday of last week, she was in a collision with a car when she was cycling and she died of her injuries. It's so sad. But I suppose that, looking at it another way, maybe it's not that sad to die doing something you like, when you're in good health and have led a reasonably long life. Though what is a reasonably long life? I'm sure one's opinion changes as one gets nearer the three score years and... whatever one has in mind.
I'm editor of our church magazine and when I looked in my pigeonhole today there was an article that she'd written a week ago for the next edition, enthusiastically describing where she'd gone on her fundraising excursion.
It's all a bit sobering, this life thing. Meanwhile, Grandson is looking around with his big blue eyes, gazing into our faces and smiling. Or looking indignant. Or tragic. Or hopeful. Don't you love that feeling of being bumped on the cheek by a sweet, soft, blunt little baby face?
You gave me a lot to think about here. I'm so sorry to hear of this woman's death. Yet, as you say, she was fit, healthy, and doing what she loved. I guess that is one way to look at it. I just think it is so hard on those left behind when death comes so suddenly and so unexpectedly.
ReplyDeleteYour news of the woman's death startled me, a bit. I had read the title of the post, but was still surprised to see. I try to be careful when running, but one never knows, do we? Very sorry to hear it.
ReplyDeleteif you'd like to exchange facebook user name, on a different realm altogether, let us find a way to do so! :)
Sorry to hear about your friend. Rather nice, though, that the last thing she left you was such an upbeat piece. Facebook is something I use to keep in touch with brother/niece/nephew in Australia, virtual friends in Canada and, sadly, to play Scrabble with my mother (who only lives in Livingston but we don't get the time to play proper Scrabble!). If you would like to join in any Scrabble games, let me know.
ReplyDeleteI have painful memories of watching long, lingering deaths, so dying instantly sounds like a blessing. It's very hard on those who are left, but much kinder to the person concerned! We just have to get as much out of each day as we can in the meantime. I can't be doing with Facebook, though. I'm too private, and am not really interested in seeing what others get up to day to day. They can get on with their own lives, and I will deal with mine, is how I see it!
ReplyDeleteOh, how sad. But I do think you're right, at least she was doing something she liked when it happened. Still, a sudden death is jarring, of course.
ReplyDeleteAs always, thinking of you and yours!
Babies are a lovely sort of panacea to news of death I always think.
ReplyDeleteOh gosh Isabelle. Always so though provoking here. The woman's death is indeed sad, although, like you said, she was doing what she loved. And the baby ... it sounds so wonderful -- I know you're enjoying every moment!
ReplyDeleteIt seems we're all contemplating the same thing this week...
ReplyDeleteHow sad or perhaps not sad to hear of your friend's death, I know that i would prefer to die doing something I care about than to linger and die slowly.
ReplyDeleteI joined Facebook to stay in touch with our daughter who lives in another state, sisters in another state and friends both far and near. So far I enjoy it, but I'm not addicted to it and I block all games on it. Good luck.
Oh Isabelle, I actually gasped when I read the piece about your friend being killed while on her bicycle ride. I think it was a terrible thing to happen to someone of that age who was still so fit and healthy, and would have had many more years to enjoy life.
ReplyDeleteI refuse to have anything to do with Facebook, mostly because of the evil things that people do to each other on their respective sites. Mostly kids I know, but it puts a bad taste in one's mouth. Anyway who needs it when we have our blogs?
That's very sad news. As others have said though she died doing something she loved. I enjoyed your description of a "soft, blunt baby face".
ReplyDeleteFacebook is pretty confusing. Feel free to "friend" me on there (I'm in Daughter 1's friends), I try to post photos of typically California things fairly regularly on there.
ReplyDeleteOh that is a shock. I wonder how the poor driver felt?
ReplyDeleteBe very careful what you share on facebook.
So glad wee NJD is keeping you all happy and focused.
That's sad. But I think that age is reasonable to go, especially still fit etc, if she had a good life. Shock for your church though. As for Facebook, let us know how you get on!
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