LIVING WITH MCL

In Jewish tradition, the Shiva candle represents a person's soul, since each person brings light into the world. And just as one can take from a flame to light more candles without diminishing the original flame, so too a person can give of him/herself, touching many lives, without ever being diminished. It's only supposed to burn for 7 days, but in Edie's case it burned for nearly 8 and half days. Now whether the candle burning a day and a half longer than expected is significant, is doubtful. I do know if anyone had asked me what I would have thought about such a thing a month ago, I would have simply chocked it up to poor quality control. But now that this involves me, I can't help but think otherwise. For those who knew Edie, you know she wasn't Jewish, but she was the embodiment of what the Shiva Candle represents,  and it's hard not to tack on some significance to that event. I sure would like to think that anyways.

It's been 4 days since Edie died, Doris, Edie's sister, is on her way home to Ohio, and the reality of this past week  is starting to take hold. I'm alone! :( I haven't been truly alone,on my own, since the 3 months between my discharge from the army and  meeting Edie in 1974, and I'm not sure I'm going to be able to handle this. Edie was always the rock (so to speak) in the family. She never needed or asked for anything special. She was always upbeat, had a smile on her face, and she was always there when I needed her. What Edie did hate was being a burden on anyone, something I'm sure contributed to her refusal to go to the ER until it was too late. She just deserved so much better, and Chloe and I will miss her tremendously.