Tara

Tara, my second daughter called me about 4:30 this morning to carry her to the emergency room. She had numerous health concerns but this time, kidney stones. We spent several hours and returned to her bed about mid-day. My sister, a professional nurse, was taking care of her and checked frequently on her. About 7:30 PM she checked only to find Tara not breathing. I received a call and my panicked sister telling me she thought Tara was gone. Indeed, she was. She and the emergency team were helpless reminding us of how truly fragile and unpredictable life is.

Tara had fallen to a near-homeless existence by the latter half of 2012. I took her in to help bring her back. She had numerous health issues both physical and emotional. With many diagnoses and medications, she returned to a more "normal" life. There's something about the feminine gender that reaches deep into my heart. Having lost 2 wives along with the historical challenges facing women I've become more sensitive to their specialty. 

Facing an inevitable prospect of neck and back surgeries was a bleak outlook indeed. From all evidence, Tara left this life in sleep. Perhaps a blessing for her although challenging for us to accept. 

Rather than mourn beyond sufficient time survivors should learn to just be thankful for life itself. Remember the good times, make the best of life, and know that the best way to honor the dead is to serve the living. True love endures for eternity.