8 months

Eight months ago, on a Friday night, we lost Ravi. Time is a weird thing. Sometimes it is very wrinkled and scrunched up. Other times it seems to stretch out for eons. This is how the last eight months have been for us. We are ever grateful for our friends who have walked this path with us.

Next Wednesday, June 18, will be Ravi’s 23rd birthday, his first birthday in heaven. We have given much thought as how to navigate this day. In the morning, we will go visit him at the chapel/columbarium. At noon, we will meet a dear friend at Como Zoo and Conservatory. This was one of Ravi’s favorite places. Seals and penguins always made him laugh. He was not quite sure about giraffes, as they have long gangly legs and purple/green slimy tongues. Otters are always good for a belly laugh. The Conservatory is a good place just to walk and meditate among green growing things. We loved to take the kids here during the winter, just to go someplace warm and smell all the wonderful flowers.

Prior to his birthday, we also have plans. Robert is going soaring on Saturday. I am going to the No Kings protest at the capital. We are having dinner with a good friend that evening. On Sunday, Robert is going to a Father’s Day fly in at the airfield and I am volunteering at a Pride booth for St. Clements. I have a sign ready that says, “Free Mom Hugs”. In little letters down below, it says “glitter not included”.

So, despite not really know what emotions will hit us next week, we have a good weekend plan with ways to reach out to our community. Next Wednesday, please spare a thought or prayer for Ravi who is celebrating his first birthday with Jesus. We wish he were here with us, but we give thanks his is in a place where cancer, fear, pain, and epilepsy have no dominion. If you see a cardinal or a monarch butterfly, or anything else in nature that grabs your attention, that is Ravi dropping in to say hi. Give him a wave, blow him a kiss, and be good humans. Peace, Harriet, Ravi’s mom.