The Inevitable

“There is a land of the living
and a land of the dead,
And the bridge is love.”
from “The Bridge of San Luis Rey” by Thornton Wilder

Rip Jon Alastair Craig
1941 – 2015

It doesn’t seem possible that just 8 weeks ago we were enjoying life and making plans for another trip. But now, what became inevitable, has happened.
After only one round of chemotherapy, it became apparent that this invader in the Architect’s head was stronger than any modern medicine.  My darling lived for only another five weeks.
Surprisingly, he was in no pain except at the very end. The consultants and staff at Wellington Regional Hospital were fantastic. Initially, the consultants thought that this could be fought with large doses of chemotherapy, but it became apparent after only one round that this was not to be.  So that he was not alone I slept at the hospital in his room with him for the 17 nights leading up to the transfer to the hospice.
The last 10 days of his life were spent at Te Omanga Hospice close to home.  What a lovely place, set in beautiful calm grounds and staffed by such an amazing, caring, loving group of people.  Again I stayed with him and I too was cared for by this incredible group of people. I cannot thank them enough: Then quietly and peacefully on Sunday, August 16 the Magic Carpet Ride came to an abrupt end. My second love died.
We had only two years together, but what a fabulous two years.  Thank you thank you for sharing this time with me my love.

“To live in lives you leave behind, is not to die.”
Judith Baxter, Blogger & friend 1938 –

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