This is one of favorite photos of Martin. It happened to be in central Iceland when we spent some time there a few years ago. But the geography doesn't really matter. What matters is that he was in a desolate and beautiful place, going from one place to another, all alone.
I felt that the same thing was true yesterday morning when he died. The dog was lying on the floor beside the bed. I was sitting by his side. Rain was falling on the skylight above him. He had been with children and grandchildren who came and saw him over the weekend. But then it was just the two of us in a desolate and beautiful place from which he would go on alone.
May he rest in peace.
So beautiful. I'm sorry for you loss.
Posted by: Kate | May 18, 2011 at 10:37 AM
Always enjoy reading your words in all their contexts but have never commented before. I am so deeply sorry for your loss.
Posted by: Kyla | May 18, 2011 at 10:53 AM
I'm so sorry. May his memory be a blessing.
Posted by: marjorie | May 18, 2011 at 10:55 AM
I'm so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Posted by: Annie | May 18, 2011 at 11:05 AM
Peace be with you and your family.
Posted by: Jasmine Rockwell | May 18, 2011 at 11:16 AM
Thank you for sharing a perfect description of of death. That is certainly what it felt like when my mom died last October. I hope and pray you will find peace and comfort in your memories of your time together.
Posted by: Melanie | May 18, 2011 at 11:21 AM
So, so sorry for your loss.
Posted by: Chelsey | May 18, 2011 at 11:29 AM
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. May you find peace and comfort during this trying time.
Posted by: Nicole | May 18, 2011 at 11:45 AM
I am so sorry that you have lost your Martin. I hope your memories with him bring you comfort during this difficult time.
Posted by: Anne | May 18, 2011 at 11:55 AM
The kind of passing we all can aspire to. I am so sorry for your loss.
Posted by: LoraW | May 18, 2011 at 12:37 PM
I'm so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing with us some memories of adventures you spent together. May peace be with you, too.
Posted by: Kristi | May 18, 2011 at 01:12 PM
I am so sorry to learn of Martin's death. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Susan
Posted by: susan dampeer | May 18, 2011 at 01:35 PM
My heart sank when I saw the heading of your post. Although I have never met you or Martin, I feel linked by all the words you have written. The word which bubbles forth on reading your post today is "Peace."
Posted by: Michael Gettel-Gilmartin | May 18, 2011 at 01:53 PM
Hugs to you. I am sorry for your loss. It is never easy when it comes even if you feel prepared. Take it easy on yourself.
Posted by: Daria | May 18, 2011 at 02:14 PM
I'm so sorry for your loss. Sending warm thoughts and prayers your way.
Posted by: Jennifer Fischer | May 18, 2011 at 02:49 PM
Thank you for sharing this with us. Peace be with you and your family. I'm sorry you have to experience this loss.
Posted by: Stephhov | May 18, 2011 at 03:44 PM
May he rest in peace, indeed, Lois, and my deepest condolences to you.
Posted by: Betty Birney | May 18, 2011 at 04:21 PM
I'm so sorry.
Posted by: Erin | May 18, 2011 at 05:42 PM
Much peace for Martin going on alone and for you finding your path through the desolate place.
Posted by: Annie | May 18, 2011 at 06:38 PM
I'm sorry and will be keeping you in my thoughts in the coming days, weeks, and months. Thank you for sharing this most precious time with us, your readers. We are with you.
Posted by: Portia Pennington | May 18, 2011 at 06:50 PM
I know you will remember all of the wonderful time you spent together, the places you visited, the meals you shared, and especially what it meant to be together - even silently.
Posted by: Clay | May 18, 2011 at 07:11 PM
"I am not solitary whilst I read an write, though nobody is with me. But if a man would be alone, let him look at the stars. The rays that come from those heavenly worlds will separate between him and what he touches. One might think the atmosphere was made transparent with this design, to give man, in the heavenly bodies, the perpetual presence of the sublime. Seen in the streets of cities, how great they are! If the stars should appear one night in a thousand years, how would men believe and adore; and preserve for many generations the remembrance of the city of God which had been shown! But every night come out these envoys of beauty, and light the universe with their admonishing smile."
-Emerson
Peace..
Posted by: ojimenez | May 18, 2011 at 07:30 PM
So sorry for your loss. May you be comforted in the days to come.
Posted by: Wilma Boob | May 18, 2011 at 08:44 PM
Thank you for writing beautiful words, even in this. May you receive comfort in your pain! I'm an avid reader of your writing, but haven't posted before.
Posted by: Merete | May 19, 2011 at 03:10 AM
So sorry for your loss.
Posted by: Toby Speed | May 19, 2011 at 06:23 AM