If you have been following along on our trials in living out our dream, you may have caught my occasional subtle hint to get on with your dreams rather than wait until everything seems perfect. This corporeal world bound by time and fate doesn't always oblige a so-called perfect time.
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Yesterday marked the end of our dream when Mark died of a massive heart attack. In his very early 50s. Listen to me here ... his early 50s. There is more that I should write here but he left with half of my soul and the better part of this marginal heart of mine. I need to convince you that we don't really know how much time we have to pursue our dreams. Mark would have wanted me to make some good of his passing and I think this would best honor his way of turning disaster to something beneficial for others so I will be back. I don't know if it will be in a day or a month so have patience with me, okay? If I can't make it back, I will make sure that someone tells you so. In the meantime, DO NOT put off your dreams, start working towards them NOW. I know you will make Mark smile if you do..
Note: I have always loved to reply to each and every comment but I don't think I have quite the heart to do so right now. Please forgive me.
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Also, if you happen to know of someone who has had a dream of trying what we did in this beautiful and unforgettable desert wilderness, let me know. I may be renting out our beloved homestead for a year or so while I try to make some sense of yesterday's unfathomable events. It might be a chance for genuinely good people with many sterling references but without enough money to buy a place like ours to try out their own dreams. If you leave a comment with contact info, I will not publish them to the blog.
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41 comments:
I will lift a glass to his memory, and to your future, and sip of life the more gladly, having learned from him.
Lin I didn't want to call you, but I posted something for the both of you on Home on the Range. . I didn't identify you as you hadn't told anyone else yet, but I hope the (sorry long winded) words bring you some comfort. I'll email you later. there's a spot here at the homestead if you need to get away for a bit. Always
Big hug,
Brigid.
I'm so sorry. I'm marveling at your strength and clarity so soon after such a massive loss, too.
I only knew Terry through your blog, but I know how much he meant to you, and that came through loud and clear to me and all your other readers, I'm sure. I wish you strength in the coming days and weeks, Lin.
Lin, I will say prayers for you both.Life is short and precious and I salute you both for living your dream, however briefly.
I'll be here for you.
We ALL will, if and when needed.
And with the help of the Almighty above, He will show us all the way...
We were so in shock to hear the very sad news. We are trying to come to terms also with the early age. What we are aware is that you both seemed to be enjoying your adventures, the peace and solitude that came from your surroundings and hoped that they would continue for years to come. Please know that you are in our prayers and we hope that what you decide to do in the near future that you definitely keep in touch and let us know.
Judy & Sue
Oh Mark. Why did you do go and leave us? If, as Lin claims, you left us early to demonstrate that life is too short to put off our dreams then there's only one thing to do.
I have a dream and now I will make it a reality in your honour. Think of all the dreams you will inspire - like ripples in a pond.
Oh my darling Lin:
I'm more sorry than I can say. Mark's passing is a tremendous shock to us all, but my heart breaks for your loss. You two in concert with a few other dear friends including Brigid have been instrumental in me finally prising myself out of a soul-killing past and catapulting me into a brighter present that is filled with great optimism for all my tomorrows.
Yes, Mark's a part of all this, and your blog has been a wonderful way of all of us uniting as a tribe of people who love and support one another the way the human animal was truly meant to do. From your blog I could see that your tremendous strength was as part of a whole greater than the sum of its parts, and that his gracious humility and very capable spirit placed him among the finest and most admirable of men. I grieve for you and for all who knew and love him. I thank you for sharing so generously a porthole out from insane civilization onto the wilds and the vista of a life well, purely and truly lived.
If there's anything we or I can do, please don't hesitate to ask.
Anything, my dear.
You are precious to all of us. Take all the time you need, and we'll be here when you call.
Oh Lin. Lin. If my heart is breaking over this, then I can't imagine what you are feeling on this very sad day. I heard the news with shock and disbelief and now, almost 24 hours later, I still cannot come to terms with what has happened to Mark and to you. We are all the poorer for the fact that the wonderful story of you and Mark cannot go on. We will miss him greatly, Lin.
I have not known you for a long time, but from the very beginning I could see what a tough tough tough woman you are ... and I am counting on God to use that toughness in you to help you make it through this dark and sorrowful time.
I wish your dream had been able to go on for many years for the two of you, but we never know what is ahead for us. Thank you for using this post to remind us all that we MUST learn from this...and the way we can honor Mark's memory is to make SURE we live our own dreams ... STARTING TODAY.
I've never met you and Mark in person, but it was a future event I was relishing ... and I am just so profoundly sorry I will never be able to meet him. BUT....the wonderful thing is that he will continue to live through your memories of him ... and these wonderful stories.
Lin, I am here. If there is anything I can do for you, you only have to ask. And we will keep in touch for the duration ... when one meets a friend one loves, nothing can end it. For you and Mark, the love will go on. And for all of your friends here, our caring for you will always be here to hopefully give you some strength.
I love you.
Sharon
Lin,
I was very sorry to learn of Mark's passing. As you say, live your dreams - no one knows how much time any of us has on this earth. I hope all the support you're getting will help you though this incredibly tough time.
I can't add anything to what's already been said. Just know that we'll all be here when your heart begin's to heal. I know it probably never really will, but we'll all be here. We all love you and will take this lesson Mark has given us to heart. Take care sis.
Lin: As someone who lost my dad at 55 and his brother(my uncle) at 54....I too know how short time sometimes is(lucky enough to be here at 59 myself).
I don't believe living a long life makes one's life important, it's how your life, however long or short, affects others.
"Mark" obviously made his impact, and you and the others he left behind are proof.
As I said earlier today....God rest his soul, and God be with you.
Lin, I'm so, so sorry. I can't even express it. Shocked and tremendously saddened doesn't even come close.
Know that my thoughts are with you, and please accept my heart-felt condolences.
I don't know you, and only found you as a result of your comment to Brigid's post. I never knew Mark, but from one human to another, I am sorry for your loss.
Oh, the good times, the GRAND times that have been shared with Mark and Lin...at a period in my life when I needed much reaffirmation. I was a battered, helpless stray...an orphan in a storm. Somehow, Lin and Mark appeared in a vast intellectual wasteland. From there sprang frequent debates, always challenging, never antagonistic; along with sumptuous fare and the liquid to aid the loquacious.
The transformative "quality" cannot be overexpressed.
Then, the eternal mechanism shifted gears and I made "The BIG Move", leaving behind my previous decaying existence...and many friends.
It was with exuberence and glee when Lin finally located me in cyberspace after a much too long interval. I had been aware of the desert outpost, but had thought it to be a second homesite. So I was amused when informed that another major move had taken place. An infrequent, but always welcome banter then ensued. My extraordinary friends had found me, and I them!
Many here may recall the chronicle of my abreviated visit back in April. Just thinking about it is like a sip from the finest cognac! Seered into whatever stream of consciousness this peculiar mortal inhabits.
I know that I am being especially long winded when words should be succinct, but my friends are my family. I will miss Mark more than I could ever commit toward any journal, anywhere; and Lin knows with how much esteem I value both of their presence's in my life.
Signed as anonymous, but known as Harmonica Joe
If you are of a mind, we have a spare room for you should you have the need to leave the rat for a while. I admire you both for your hard rock homesteading. And admiration does not pass away.
Our phone number is included in the private email I wrote.
We will miss him, too.
I've just lost a very close, dear friend & relation. It is just 4 short weeks ago that we parted company in Las Vegas on my way home to England. Although I have photographs of him, what I will treasure most is his laughter & ever grinning face and his sense of humour poking fun at our strange English ways now etched very vividly in my memory.
Goodbye Terry, you were a star.
Colin
Dear Linda, A kind and gentle soul has been taken from you and his family. Now is the time to have faith in God and his wisdom. His intelligence will travel with him and maybe, just maybe, he will help the Lord straighten out the many problems we are facing. His memory will live on with those who knew him and the kind of gentleman he was.I pray that you will find the strength to go on and live your dream, knowing that he will be watching over you. Ann
Oh Lin, I am so sorry. It was with shock and disbelief that I read your post, and now, here I sit with a lump in my throat, not knowing what to say.
Prayerfully mixing my tears and hugs with all the others,
Craver.
Please accept my deepest sympathy. I didn't know you all very well and I'm sorry that I won't get to know Mark any better. I'm glad you got to live out some of your dreams together here in New Mexico. There is no prettier place than here to live your dreams.
And my husband is fixing to do what you said here: going to try out a dream of his! Mark's spirit will live on, in you and in others.
If there is anything I can do for you, please let me know.
OMG I am so so so sorry. Stunned and sorry.
How would I comment Terry's life with Linda; Well, when one finds a true friend in life it is very rare, Terry was that.
How rare in this time and age when most are lost to a material world.
I would read their blog each day and feel the underlying pain and struggle of learning to understand the elements of this seemingly barren land. It is truly for the young to challenge yet they jumped in and did their best. I know they both worked as a team and Terry took the reins of responsibility and keep their goals in sight.
He was truly my sister's best friend and I thank him for it, God bless you Terry.
Randy
Terry was the best person that ever came into my sisters life. When I met Terry for the first time I felt comfortable that Linda was with a person who loved her and would not do antyhing to hurt her. This proved to be true as they pursued their dreams together until a few days ago. Linda has many friends that will help her through the toughest time that anyone could possibly have. Tim
I've visited from time to time, but have never commented. I admire/admired the fact that you two were brave enough to go after your dream.
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this truly devastating and sad time.
Oh my gawd, Lin, I'm so sorry to read of Mark's passing. It was evident from your writing that you and he were a close, loving couple. I'll remember the both of you in my thoughts and prayers.
As often is the case, it is those who are left behind who suffer longest and sometimes with the most pain. We wish you nothing less than comfort and spiritual peace as you continue to pursue your dreams.
Our thoughts are with you, love,
Margie & Eric
Lin I dont know what to say to possibly comfort you, my heart and wishes are with you, always.
Oh lin, I am so, so sorry to learn of your tragic loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you hon. You have many friends who hold you dear, and we are all aching at your awful pain. xx
Not sure that I can add anything to what has already been written, just know that my heart aches for your loss.
I am so very sorry for your loss. May God heal your heart and give you wisdom.
Condolences Lin.
Lin:
I do not know you, nor had I ever met Mark. But I was made aware of your story through Brigid's Home On The Range blog. I am heartbroken for you through your words. Mark obviously was very special to you, and you to him. A very special friend and I have talked often of New Mexico . . . wanting to see it together. For my place, your words ring so very true. Not putting off your dreams until tomorrow, but living today. To make someday today. Lin, I wish you well, I wish you peace, and I hope very soon to make Mark smile.
Anonymous in Ohio
Lin, I was so sorry to read of Mark's passing. And my thoughts and prayers are with you both. And as I'm sure you can tell, there are many who will await your return.
Lin...not much I can do or say but you are in my prayers and Ihope to hear from you again one day It's not much consolation but you are in others thoughts and prayers.
I just found you a few posts back. I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. Trust God with this. HE alone can help you bear this. Our prayers are with you!
Oh, my gracious. I am shocked. I am so, so sorry. My condolences. Margie
Lin,
I am shocked and saddened to read your post. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
If been away and so I'm late in getting the news. I just wanted to say how sorry I am for your loss.
Love you always...Mushy!
Lin, I just read your post and am shocked and saddened. It is obvious that you have made many friends through your blog who are sending caring thoughts and prayers your way. You have had a big effect on all of us; hopefully we can return the favor in some small way. Take strength from all the caring thoughts that surround you.
Lin, I am saddened to hear of your loss but I also sense that you have been surrounded by Angels in many forms that have strengthened you in this time. May the memories you both shared be a foundation for the rest of your life.
Lin, I hope that you can feel my hug this evening. I took a long break from the blogosphere starting in early July and am just now trying to catch up, starting with your blog. When I read your heartbreaking news about Terry dying so suddenly and so young I cried for both of you. I am glad that you shared Terry's real name with us, even though that revelation was another shock for me this evening because my husband's name is Terry.
My heart goes out to you, Lin. Your story, Terry's story, is truly a wake-up call for us all. I wish you all the best as you go about the business of living without your best friend. If you want to keep in touch please email me.
Ginger
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