My dear brother-in-law passed on January 9, 2022.
He came to visit with me last night. We were both aware that he had passed and now came to visit with me and learn more about my life.
As with all of my visits with those who have passed, it did not impress me as something beyond the norm that we should be able to visit after he had passed on. I was as happy to see him as I would be if my brother, who lives 12 miles from me, knocked on my door. A very pleasant visit from a loved one.
We held hands as only good friends can do — no romance here, only friendship that grew out of family relations and mutual respect.
I took Jack back to ‘my first real job’ at Merrill Trust Co. Bank, which was no longer a bank but housed some kind of offices. At one point a lady kept us from entering the inner santum of an office but we could see in through an open door. She (somehow) knew that we were revisiting my past workplace.
I showed him the front lobby where the tellers were and told him of the top floor where the break room was. I told him how as an impressionable 17 year old girl, I sat in there and observed all the smartly dressed stenographers smoke their cigarettes. That was the beginning of my smoking, to emulate those young chic ladies. Jack and I both shook our heads sadly at how we had been drawn into the world of smokers.
From a window, we peered down at a sitting area below us. It was quite picturesque, alongside the Kenduskeag Stream. An obvious smoking area. Jack excused himself to visit that area and have a smoke while I visited more of the old haunt. (So Jack still smokes, while I don’t.)
I took more time than I intended in my revisiting. Jack was no longer down in the smoking area. I felt badly that I had kept him waiting and we had lost track of each other.
I stepped through the double glass doors onto the granite steps, and there was a note from Jack. The note was pencil written on a large torn piece of heavy paper (like from a bag of dog food.) It lay on the sidewalk at the foot of the steps.
I cannot remember what the note said. However, I do remember that it was humorous while spot on and I grinned reading it. (I knew it was to me from Jack, even though there was no salutation or signature.)
Next thing I remember is, I saw Jack from across the bank lobby. We were happy to find each other again, but he was not upset with me for taking so long to come find him.
Jack was happy and relaxed. It was a good visit and I am thankful to him for meeting with me (from beyond the veil) and showing me that his life is healthy and happy now. And for letting me know that we are still good friends.
