A Year of Loss
This year I learned a tsunami can be more than an avalanche of destructive water; it can also be a tidal wave of loss.
My tsunami began March 16, with the sudden death of my son, Erich, followed exactly 30 days later with the death of my mother, Erika, followed by the death of her brother, my uncle, also Erich, a few months after that.
Even though their passings were sad, my mother and uncle were well into their 90’s, so their passings did not come as a surprise.
My son, however, was an unexpected heartbreak. Only 54, he passed away within an instant on an early Sunday
evening. Even as I write these words, I still struggle to comprehend the incomprehensible feeling that sharp pain in
my heart and hollowness in my womb.
Images of him flood into me with 54 years of force. For sanity's sake, I try not to become consumed by the pain, instead I try to honor it and bow with acceptance, but it is hard, no doubt.
Then today I learned Tony Fitzpatrick died, an authentic Chicago icon and legendary creative. Even though I did not know Tony, I met him at his studio several years ago. He was surrounded by energetic young artists he was mentoring as they were helping him turn his creative visions into his uniquely Fitzpatrick collages.
As I was introduced to him by my friend, who knew him very well, I was like a star-struck groupie, meeting a rock star in the creative arts arena.
