Archive for December 31st, 2005

31 Dec 2005 Home
 |  Category: House of Fielding  | 16 Comments

If there could be one truism about my life, it is that there is never a dull moment. I arrived home around 6 o’clock via an unexpected cab ride, following an unexpected bus ride. I got caught in a snowstorm this afternoon.

See, earlier in the day I decided to take my cousin Tosca to Stroudsburg/Delaware Water Gap, which is the last stop before New York, where she would take the shuttle to JFK to fly home to Vancouver. I took Allan to the bus terminal here in Scranton this morning because he wanted to be in New York by 1 o’clock to catch a bus from there to Boston to continue north to Maine for the weekend. He returns to Vancouver on Tuesday via Newark.

The weather reports said there was a 60% chance of snow, and I knew I didn’t want to go as far as Manhattan because I’d spent New Year’s Eve in Times Square before, and it’s asking for trouble to try and drive in. Not to mention the weather wreaking havoc on the roads. But I thought a drive to Stroudsburg would be alright, since it wasn’t that far — less than an hour — and conditions here were fine.

When we set out in the car to Stroudsburg (43 miles to the east) the roads were dry, but within 20 minutes or so it began to snow, starting with light flakes but gradually becoming thicker and blowing briskly. Eventually we had to slow to a relative crawl because it was turning into a whitewash. I’m very glad I bought snow tires last week, because we would’ve gone off the road otherwise. We passed accidents and cars in ditches — notably, a truck UPSIDE-DOWN in the highway median. Tosca was getting nervous, and I was gripping the wheel tightly, making sure I had plenty of room in front and behind me, and staying as far away from the shoulder as safely possible. { continue reading… }

31 Dec 2005 Dear David: Your Memorial
 |  Category: Letters to David, Loss  | 14 Comments

Dear David,

The year is winding to a close and I’m finally getting a quiet moment after an extremely busy and heartwrenching week. The House of Fielding is tranquil — Hugh’s curled up at my feet, and the others are asleep. Tosca and Allan are leaving today, so Hugh and I can send out 2005 quietly.

Your memorial on Wednesday was so very moving, but I couldn’t imagine it any other way. I think about it often, because there was so much going on. I’ll be thinking — and writing — about it for some time to come.

When I stood up in front to speak and looked around the room, I could see in every person’s face how much you meant to them. If you could bottle up the good thoughts that have come your way over the span of years and release them in one room, that’s what it felt like. Lots and lots and lots of love for you. { continue reading… }