Change in Plans—In This Blog as in Life

I had a humorous post lined up for today, but I learned Monday night that my father had passed away suddenly. You may remember that my mother died on July 4. He had missed her terribly for the last six months. He told me after Christmas that it was the first Christmas in sixty-six years they had not spent together—the first Christmas since they were fifteen.

Now they are together again.

So humor isn’t at the top of my list today, and I’ve had to come up with something else to say. But it is too early. Too soon. It will take me awhile to come to terms with his death. We had grown very close in the past several years.

In the meantime, as I process his passing, I am traveling to be with my brother and sister, making lists and more lists of things to do and people to contact. Death has once again caused me to be in central planning mode. Together we will get through our loss, and perhaps find strength and compassion from it.

Here are a few of my favorite posts about my father:

Thomas Claudson, rest in peace.

Tom Claudson picture

My father, Thomas Claudson

Posted in Family and tagged , , , , , , .

11 Comments

  1. Oh Theresa, my heart is breaking for you. I’m so sorry to hear this. I’ll certainly keep you and your siblings in my prayers. It does provide a sense of peace to know your parents are together again, but it doesn’t make it easier. Take care of yourself. xo

  2. Theresa, I am so very sorry. There’s no way to express condolences except to say I’m so sorry. A father’s death is huge.
    We’re up on the farm … it’s Wed morning…and our neighbor Gary came by early to tell us his younger brother Dave had a massive heart attack yesterday and died. I’ve known him all our lives. We all grew up together, went to the one room school together. After the hugs and tears and prayers, Gary left and we began planning. When /how to go back to KC and back here again Sat. It’s all minor to what you have to plan, but planning is what we do when death comes. It’s what keeps us going. I’m so very sorry about your father. My heart goes out to you and my prayers. J

  3. I sincerely hope that the void that exists after the passing of your father will be filled with the love and support of those in which you surround yourself. Consider me one who has stepped into that void with you.

  4. Sorry to hear of your father’s passing Theresa. After my father’s sudden death in 2005 I threw myself into work and ‘busyness’ which (in my case) was the worst thing I could have done. I don’t recommend it. May you find peace and comfort with your loved ones during this time.

  5. I’m so very sorry, Theresa. Thank you for the opportunity to see past things you have written about him, which we can read now with renewed perspective. Hugs to your family.

  6. Theresa, you have my sincere condolences at the passing of your father. I can only imagine your dad’s broken heart after his best friend left him. And now their eternal reunion. My prayers are with you all.

  7. Theresa, you are in my heart, thoughts and prayers. I lost my Mom and Dad only 5 weeks apart in 2011. The first year of “firsts” was difficult, but I know my parents are in a happier place and dancing to the Glenn Miller band. I’ll bet yours are too. Now you have two angels you can call by name.

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