It’s been three months since your soul departed. I wasn’t going to do this thing where I mark anniversaries, but it’s challenging not to, so I’m not going to fight it. As part of the Transitions process, I’ll provide an update. Last night I firmly reminded myself this is a marathon — and likely an ultramarathon at that — and not a sprint.

If I count getting through the funeral and burial as the first mile. I’m working on the second mile now. I have a contract to sell the ranch, and both the ranch and the 4th St. property are nearly emptied. I’ve contacted my first potential buyer for the 4th St. property but have not heard back from them yet. Once those properties are sold and the proceeds distributed, I can claim the second mile completed.

The third mile will be completing the sale of and delivery of the kerosene lanterns to their purchaser. I’m in the process of moving the last of the lanterns and related paraphernalia to the shop. I think I can have the move completed by September, so that’s my goal for that part of the transition. After that, it will be up to the buyer, and while I’m waiting for him, I can work on other things. I want to get them ready for him, though. He’s been waiting long enough — he began this process with Alan a couple of years ago.

One other probate piece was completing the inventory. That has been completed, signed, and delivered to the court.

The reason I need to remind myself about the (ultra)marathon is I keep running on and on about how much I have to do. Don’t get me wrong; I have done a LOT. In fact, that’s where the discussion with myself came from — I’m afraid I’ll get burned out, thus the reminder that I’m very early in this process.

Last week I got away to the annual Young Living Essential Oil convention in Salt Lake City. It was a good break, and I felt as if I’d made a shift in my grieving process. I’m not sure how I would characterize that shift, and if you asked me about it today, I’d likely be saying I don’t think so, but that’s how it goes.

I do know we talk about our loved ones as if they are watching over us, and over the last couple of weeks, I came to the realization where I thought, “I sure hope the hereafter isn’t all about watching our loved ones as they stumble forward in life after we’ve departed. I don’t think that would be something to aspire to.” I’d like to think Jesus died for our sins so we could experience something truly phenomenal. I believe Alan prepared as well as he could and had faith I was capable of carrying out his wishes and living out my life after he had moved on. I’m doing that. I trust he is experiencing a better reward, and if we’re meant to meet up again, I know he’s preparing the way.