Given the timing of this comic strip originally published on September 23, 1990, it seems like this is Lynn Johnston’s homage to her father Mervyn Ridgway, who passed away August 2, 1990. Lynn’s mother, Ursula Ridgway had passed the year before on September 22, 1989; so she lost both parents within a year of each other.
One of my high school friends (she was also a distant cousin) passed away from colon cancer a few years ago. I drove five hours one way to see her as often as I could. The last time I saw her, a group of us gathered to celebrate her birthday. We had a fabulous time, and another friend took a beautiful photo of her. A few weeks later, she entered hospice. If not for two other friends, she would have died all alone. I phoned one of the ladies, and she held the phone to our friend’s ear, while I sang “The Poor Wayfaring Stranger” to her. I was told she smiled while I sang. A few hours later, she left us, forever. Not one of her family showed up till after the fact.
Suffering the loss of a loved one (friend or family) is a part of everyone’s experience. Death is a part of life. Whenever this subject comes up I am reminded of the story of the the little girl who queried her grandmother;“Grandma, where do people go when they die?”“Well; Sweetheart, many people have many different ideas about “where we go” after death. Many believe in heaven and joining with God and loved ones that have gone before. Some believe we come back to life as another person or animal. There are those who believe you join into the vast material that makes up the Cosmos. Some think there is nothing after life and you just cease to exist."“But; Grandma what is the truth?”“I am afraid no one really knows the truth, Honey; its a secret! Only when we go will we know the secret.”From then on; whenever the little girl and her Grandmother heard of someone who passed, they would look at each other, smile, and say: “Now they know the secret!” It seemed comforting somehow.
I will always regret that I was not able to get home in person to be with my Mom when she passed away (she was in ‘Hospice at Home’ and called me the night before, and I told her I loved her more than the world, but it wasn’t the same as being there). I also did not get home to say goodbye to my younger brother, who we lost last year just before Christmas. None of my family lives near me now, and I am beginning to think I need to retire back to the ‘cold’ country so I can be more than a distant part of their lives…
This was done at a time when several people I knew were dealing with serious health problems. The “rainbow day” remark came from my dad. My parents lived in Hope, BC. Dad and I were coming home from visiting mom in the hospital and it was raining. Set in the Fraser River Valley, Hope is surrounded by mountains. When it rains, the slanting rays of the sun always seem to make a rainbow. Dad said, “Look, it’s a rainbow day!” Since we had both been in tears, it was a lovely observation. I saved it for a later time when I could use it in the strip.
I wonder if Elly’s friend on the phone was Ed, the guy Thelma Baird was with before she passed away. Maybe, maybe not, but it’s fun to think about that sort of thing.
Both from personal experience and as a nurse, I believe that sometimes our loved ones want to die without our being there. I know of many people whose loved ones sat with them for hours and days, and then left just to get some sleep, or something, to eat, and the sick person then passed away. I think some people prefer to die alone, but as someone said above, knowing that their loved ones are close by or visited them recently. So I hope that people don’t feel too guilty if they are not present when a loved one dies.
My aunt, who is my mom’s dearest friend, is very sick and weak with her third or fourth bout of cancer. (She’s had several kinds; this is Lymphoma.) We thought she might be going home to be with the Lord last night, but she’s doing a little better today. It still might be very soon, though.
I had a collection which had a different commentary on this:
Lynn’s Notes: The “rainbow day” remark came from my dad. When hospitalized, he did jokes such as take his IV and pretend it was a bishop’s staff, blessing the other patients. Set in the Fraser River Valley, Hope is surrounded by mountains. When it rains, the slanting rays of the sun always seem to make a rainbow. Dad said, “Look, it’s a rainbow day!” My father died in 1990. This strip is dedicated to him.
howtheduck over 4 years ago
Given the timing of this comic strip originally published on September 23, 1990, it seems like this is Lynn Johnston’s homage to her father Mervyn Ridgway, who passed away August 2, 1990. Lynn’s mother, Ursula Ridgway had passed the year before on September 22, 1989; so she lost both parents within a year of each other.
jmworacle over 4 years ago
Touching.
jdbligh over 4 years ago
But what did he do with the bedpan?
8ec23d5228da33aa2115003c92d0fe83 over 4 years ago
I didn’t believe it till it happened to my parents.
asrialfeeple over 4 years ago
We’re all dying from the day we were born.
Jeffin Premium Member over 4 years ago
WOW! Instant tears. Thanks Lynn.
freewaydog over 4 years ago
:’( I just lost my mom,…
ScretWitch over 4 years ago
Lynn sure knew how to tug at those heart strings. Either that, or she has some of those onion cutting ninjas in her employment. <3
vaughnrl2003 Premium Member over 4 years ago
Touching. Thank you.
Dae over 4 years ago
One of my high school friends (she was also a distant cousin) passed away from colon cancer a few years ago. I drove five hours one way to see her as often as I could. The last time I saw her, a group of us gathered to celebrate her birthday. We had a fabulous time, and another friend took a beautiful photo of her. A few weeks later, she entered hospice. If not for two other friends, she would have died all alone. I phoned one of the ladies, and she held the phone to our friend’s ear, while I sang “The Poor Wayfaring Stranger” to her. I was told she smiled while I sang. A few hours later, she left us, forever. Not one of her family showed up till after the fact.
JMG316 over 4 years ago
❤️
Plods with ...™ over 4 years ago
I try to generate rainbows.
tripwire45 over 4 years ago
My friend suffers from ALS and I visit him every other Sunday.
whiteaj over 4 years ago
I love kid-with-glasses Elizabeth at this age.
NoNameOntheBullet Premium Member over 4 years ago
Suffering the loss of a loved one (friend or family) is a part of everyone’s experience. Death is a part of life. Whenever this subject comes up I am reminded of the story of the the little girl who queried her grandmother;“Grandma, where do people go when they die?”“Well; Sweetheart, many people have many different ideas about “where we go” after death. Many believe in heaven and joining with God and loved ones that have gone before. Some believe we come back to life as another person or animal. There are those who believe you join into the vast material that makes up the Cosmos. Some think there is nothing after life and you just cease to exist."“But; Grandma what is the truth?”“I am afraid no one really knows the truth, Honey; its a secret! Only when we go will we know the secret.”From then on; whenever the little girl and her Grandmother heard of someone who passed, they would look at each other, smile, and say: “Now they know the secret!” It seemed comforting somehow.
Argythree over 4 years ago
I will always regret that I was not able to get home in person to be with my Mom when she passed away (she was in ‘Hospice at Home’ and called me the night before, and I told her I loved her more than the world, but it wasn’t the same as being there). I also did not get home to say goodbye to my younger brother, who we lost last year just before Christmas. None of my family lives near me now, and I am beginning to think I need to retire back to the ‘cold’ country so I can be more than a distant part of their lives…
Jan C over 4 years ago
Lynn’s Comments:
This was done at a time when several people I knew were dealing with serious health problems. The “rainbow day” remark came from my dad. My parents lived in Hope, BC. Dad and I were coming home from visiting mom in the hospital and it was raining. Set in the Fraser River Valley, Hope is surrounded by mountains. When it rains, the slanting rays of the sun always seem to make a rainbow. Dad said, “Look, it’s a rainbow day!” Since we had both been in tears, it was a lovely observation. I saved it for a later time when I could use it in the strip.
InuYugiHakusho over 4 years ago
I wonder if Elly’s friend on the phone was Ed, the guy Thelma Baird was with before she passed away. Maybe, maybe not, but it’s fun to think about that sort of thing.
finnygirl Premium Member over 4 years ago
Both from personal experience and as a nurse, I believe that sometimes our loved ones want to die without our being there. I know of many people whose loved ones sat with them for hours and days, and then left just to get some sleep, or something, to eat, and the sick person then passed away. I think some people prefer to die alone, but as someone said above, knowing that their loved ones are close by or visited them recently. So I hope that people don’t feel too guilty if they are not present when a loved one dies.
Taracinablue over 4 years ago
My aunt, who is my mom’s dearest friend, is very sick and weak with her third or fourth bout of cancer. (She’s had several kinds; this is Lymphoma.) We thought she might be going home to be with the Lord last night, but she’s doing a little better today. It still might be very soon, though.
USN1977 over 4 years ago
I had a collection which had a different commentary on this:
Lynn’s Notes: The “rainbow day” remark came from my dad. When hospitalized, he did jokes such as take his IV and pretend it was a bishop’s staff, blessing the other patients. Set in the Fraser River Valley, Hope is surrounded by mountains. When it rains, the slanting rays of the sun always seem to make a rainbow. Dad said, “Look, it’s a rainbow day!” My father died in 1990. This strip is dedicated to him.