tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7653559365363127621.post3551059111438265989..comments2023-09-18T02:18:58.934-05:00Comments on The Late Arrival: That SmellRochelle Fritschhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15107772328805626180noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7653559365363127621.post-71268403297141750202014-12-02T09:28:22.136-06:002014-12-02T09:28:22.136-06:00Oh, those are so many painful losses. Yes, you'...Oh, those are so many painful losses. Yes, you're exactly right: one step at a time, and don't fight the tears when they decide to make an appearance.<br />xoRochelle Fritschhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15107772328805626180noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7653559365363127621.post-82542466779955542732014-12-01T21:54:09.619-06:002014-12-01T21:54:09.619-06:00Exactly. Having lost both parents, a close friend ...Exactly. Having lost both parents, a close friend and my youngest brother, this time of year is difficult. I take it one step at a time. Do what feels good and have a good cry if needed. blogginghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11760421311723656024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7653559365363127621.post-77198371891631769442012-11-26T08:51:52.324-06:002012-11-26T08:51:52.324-06:00Hugs to you too, Berni. Funny how a smell can be a...Hugs to you too, Berni. Funny how a smell can be a source of pain, but also of strength and renewal.<br /><br />Glad you could breathe in both sources...and become a real inspriation for everyone who knows you.Rochelle Fritschhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15107772328805626180noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7653559365363127621.post-59352797179639226322012-11-26T08:27:08.250-06:002012-11-26T08:27:08.250-06:00That smell you speak of, I know it all too well. I...That smell you speak of, I know it all too well. It is most pungent between October and December of every year.<br /><br />Perhaps it was the smell of my freedom after leaving a corporate job to work independently in October 2008. Perhaps it was the smell of my unbathed body that had been prodded and probed in the hospital for 7 days only one week after that.<br /><br />But the smell that I remember most is that of the grilled cheese and tomato soup my friend made me after learning of my illness that left me as an invalid for nearly a month that winter.<br /><br />It’s hard to believe that four years have passed since then. I could have allowed myself to whittle away to nothing, but instead I took the tougher road. I chose to live with more courage and brave through every step of the way to reinvent my life.<br /><br />“Every man dies. Not every man really lives.” – William Ross Wallace<br /><br />Thank you Rochelle for writing this beautiful piece. Virtual hugs to you, friend.Berni Xiong (shUNG)http://www.bernixiong.comnoreply@blogger.com