Monday, July 15, 2013

The Broken Chair

Robert's service was really lovely.  There was a large turnout and several people spoke, including a woman he'd only worked with for the last three months.  This is how Robert touched people!  I'm proud of the obituary I wrote.  I figure it was the most important thing I've ever written.  You can read it here.  I also made a video, here.

Yesterday was a hard day. Robert had just moved to Aurora a few weeks ago and had bought new furniture, dishes, bedding and towels.  Walking into his home was like walking into a model home!  He really did have such great taste.  We had to go through all of his belongings, decide what we each wanted to keep and what to sell.  The kids each selected something from the house that reminded them of Uncle Robert and even though my largest momento is his cat AndrĂ© (seriously...he weighs 13 pounds)...I found a few things.

We brought everything home and started putting some of the items in the basement storage closet.  But first we had to move out two of the extra chairs for the dining room table.  Once we had kids we bought two extra chairs so that everyone would have a seat when we had family dinners.  When our family was all together there were always 8 of us.

I started to pull one of the chairs out of the little dark closet and it fell apart in my hands.  The back completely fell off!  I've moved this chair a dozen times in the last 3 years and it was always sturdy.  I carried it to the dumpster and as I laid it inside I realized that this was likely Robert's chair and we didn't need it anymore.  Big tears rolled down my face as I let go of the chair.  Robert will never sit at my table again.

Broken chair

16 comments:

  1. Oh, how my heart breaks for you. I hope you find peace in knowing there are many e-friends praying for you and your family!

    Sending you big hugs!

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    1. Thank you Lisa! I really do...I swear my best friends are in my computer!

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  2. I'm so sorry for you loss Connie. I read the obituary you wrote. It was beautiful. Robert may not be with you, but he lives on through your memories and in your hearts. Thinking of you and your family.

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    1. Thank you! It's true Robert will always be here in our hearts.

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  3. Just watched the video, Connie. I read the obituary, too -- perfect. What a smile Robert had. He was lucky to have a friend and sister in you. xo

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  4. Oh, how heartbreaking. Your Robert posts were always some of my favorites. He brought you all a lot of joy.

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  5. Heartbreaking, Connie! Love from me.

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  6. Oh sweetie...how awful. I'm so sorry.
    He was so young! It's not fair.

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  7. You did a lovely job on the obituary. I knew you would.

    Such a sad week. :o(

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  8. Oh, honey....you wrote the sweetest and most down to earth and honest obituary ever. You really conveyed so much about Robert's character. I'm so proud of you! I knew you would write something very special.

    (((((hugs))))),
    Ricki Jill

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  9. Sending my love and prayers to you and your family

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  10. I started typing a comment like 5 times and I completely stink at saying the right thing. :( I can say, your words were read, I watched the video, and Robert's smile will always bring a smile to my face whenever you post a video or photo!

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I love you. You are my best friend! Your hair looks fantastic today!