Friday, May 18, 2018

Full Circle






In the early morning On Wednesday May 16th Lynne Braden past away.
She died peacefully in her sleep, after battling Cancer for the 2nd time.
Lynne will be remembered for courageously fighting her battle to the End.
Her passion for life, friends, family and travel can be carried on by all of us
By continuing to live like she did.
Her big smile, courage and loving heart is what I’ll take with me as I continue
My journey in life.
If you see the View on the road somewhere in the near future honk and wave to me as I will be navigating It on a farewell journey to spread her ashes to all her favorite places that she asked
To be and to start a new journey in my life.

Lynne’s brother Randy Braden






Full circles on:
- this blog
- full-time RVing
- Bosque del Apache
- home 617 Carlsbad
- friends
- family
- Grandy's bed
- finding God
- religion / the Bible
- my life's purpose on Earth
- transition from secular to spiritual (from life on Earth to life in eternity)

    • Back in mom’s bedroom at old family house
    • Next post will likely be my memorial.  Comments will be turned off and blog archived.
    • Cindy’s comments on showing how to die gracefully
    • Death is so often avoided and looked at with so much dread—
      • I believe God has brought be home (literally and figuratively) 
      • Cancer has given me the freedom of time to enrich my end of life with so many wonderful conversations and re-connections.  Never would have had this opportunity if a plane crash or heart attack had taken me.
      • So, do not mourn my death when it comes.  Remember me (as the Coco movie says).  That will keep my spirit living on.  Remember my story— don’t wait too long to start living your dreams.
      • Do I have regrets?  Perhaps only a few— that I didn’t give back sooner in my life.  Most of my life was self-centered and filled with consuming to my own wants/desires.  It left a huge hole that took years to figure out how to fill.  For me, that hole was finally filled by giving to others— financially and via my volunteering time or selfless acts of kindness and friendship.  I may have sacrificed a higher-paying career by not doing “whatever it takes” and walking over whoever I needed to get ahead, but in the end,  are time here on earth is only marked by the legacy we leave.  Not the power/political/financial gains we made.

Full-Circle
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3 years ago, I took a walk to find myself...

The past couple of months I’ve realized that many circles in my life are now completing.

Can’t explain the unexplainable, but so many things have led me back to this place...to home.

A physical residence that I’ve known since 1976,
A place where old friends have returned to reunite with me,
A place where I have met new connections that share uncanny things that cannot be passed off as mere coincidence (Melissa & my grandfather’s sermon bed)
God leading me home for a reason (not to stay in Colorado)

It is right to be here now.
My future is unknown, but my fate (and faith) is certain.
I wish I could live another few decades to share all the lessons I’ve learned these past few years of leading a purpose-driven life (not letting others drive it for me), but all I can do now is hope that some of my musings on this blog have made a difference in your lives, pushed you beyond your comfort zone to take control over your life and live the life of your dreams.  To discover true fulfillment by emptying yourselves of pettiness, shallowness, and worthless physical possessions for a deeper connection to your fellow humans/animals, our earth, God, and the amazing reward of giving in all the ways that you can.

Be the light.  When told to act divisive, seek unity with one another.  Overcome hatred, ignorance, and power grabs.  Be humble.  Find and live with grace and honor.    In the end, it is the only legacy we each can leave.

I hope I’ve made the earth a little more sustainable for future generations.
I hope I’ve left a legacy (although baron of fame, fortune, or even a tombstone— something that will be left as a lasting impression to those who knew me here or in-person to continue for generations.

I’m not ready to go, and yet, the circle is completing for me now, so I must obey it and go on to the next world.   Michell quote.

My final post here (my obituary) will be published after I’m gone.  Comments will be turned off to preserve the sanity of my surviving family members.

I thank you all for following this journey with me.  You’ve enriched my life as much as I hope I’ve helped yours.

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Quotes from Dorrin:


Though my soul may set in darkness,
It shall rise in perfect light
I have loved the stars too truly
To be fearful of the night    
                                                   ~Sarah Williams

I framed a quote of Edgar Mitchell and hung it on my office wall in 1990.  It still hangs in the waiting room for all to see.  It says:  

"There are no unnatural or supernatural phenomenon, only very large gaps in our knowledge of what is natural... we should strive to fill those gaps of ignorance."

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Chris Leeser’s quotes on the walls of BdA Volunteer Lounge:

Be Kind
Work Hard
Stay Humble
Smile Often
Live Simply
Love Deeply
be thankful always

————————————————-

All good things are wild and free

————————————————-

You make a living by what you get. You leave a legacy by what you give.
— Winston Churchill ?

—————————————————

Rather than seek power in being somebody,
seek truth in being nobody,
Because power will emerge from God’s truth.












43 comments:

  1. Such a wonderful posting , thanks for the update, Have followed her for years is an inspiration, she will be missed but we will fondly remember Lynn and her travels.

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  2. Thank you for letting me know. I have quietly followed Lynn on her travels. She was always so strong and independent. I will miss her.

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  3. What a beautiful post and a beautiful person! We have enjoyed her travels and her blog posts for many years. She will be missed greatly. We'll be on the lookout for you down the road.

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  4. Only three years - I've been following Lynne's blog for only three years. But what years - filled with wonder and adventure and joys and sorrows. And this is the final sorrow. But what joy in her new adventure. I grieve with you and rejoice for Lynne. Blessings to you as you go on.

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  5. So sorry for your loss Randy! I am sure many people will miss Lynne and her travels. Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time.

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  6. A beautiful tribute to an inspiring woman. Lynne will be missed by many,but not forgotten by any.

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  7. I am sad and I am sorry for your family's loss. Lynne is driving pain free now and her smile is bigger then ever.

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  8. I've followed Lynne's travels for almost 6 years. I learned much from her - not just about destinations but how to live. Thank you for sharing her final thoughts. It is sage wisdom from someone who helped remind us what living is all is about.

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  9. I am so sorry to hear this. We had the same cancer at Almost the same time. Mine did treatments and hers didn't. I wish she had. She was a good person and will be missed!

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  10. I loved Lynne's blog posts and especially her awesome photography. She fought a couragious battle and I will miss her stories. May your adventure in the View keep her spirit alive and well...

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  11. Diana and I are really going to miss Lynne and her beautiful smile. She has taught us so many life lessons over the past few months. We all gained a travel angel today.

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  12. Lynne will be missed by her family, friends, and those of us who read her blog. I was lucky to meet her in person once and found her to be just as friendly as her blog portrayed. She will live on in your heart, the hearts of her family and friends.

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  13. Prayers for Lynne's family. I have followed her posts and traveled through her. She will be missed.

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  14. Thank you for letting us know what is happening, Randy. I am sorry for your loss. Wishing you and all that will miss Lynne comfort now,and joy in the memories,Mary

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  15. I'm very sorry for your loss, Randy. <3

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  16. Lynn will truly be missed for her courage and want for exploring this beautiful land we live in. R.I.P.

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  17. So very, very sorry for your loss!

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  18. May she rest in peace. Thanks for the update.

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  19. I'm beond sad right now, but telling my husband her stories and how wonderful she was...IS🌟. A true inspiration to the soul and hearts of so many people. She will be missed, but never forgotten. My prayers and thoughts are for her family

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  20. So very sorry for your loss. Lynne was such an inspiration to many and will be missed. Ann M

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  21. Saddened by Lynne's passing. What an inspiration in life. Truly amazing. Comfort is knowing Millie and her are once again together. God speed Lynne and Millie!

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  22. I so admire Lynne. I'm sure Millie was waiting on the other side of the veil. Bless you all, and may your hearts be at peace.

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  23. I enjoyed her posts and God Speed. So sorry for your lose

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  24. What a remarkable woman. I am so saddened by her passing and know that her Millie was there to greet her.

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  25. Lynn was such an inspiration to so many of us. We all have circles to complete, and I hope Lynn is enveloped in love and kindness and happiness in this next journey. Rest in Peace, Lynn.

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  26. Meeting Lynne was a highlight for us. She was an amazing, caring, giving person. We started an email friendship after meeting in person at Bosque del Apache. We were also Hyster Sisters. I hope Lynne is having new, exciting adventures in heaven. I will miss her. Karen & Greg Kendall (Sock Monkey Trekkers)

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  27. Randy and Lynne’s family,
    Sending thoughts and prayers your way....... All of you played a special part in supporting and helping Lynne during the last part of her journey. Job well done...... Lynne was such a special person... what I will remember most is her openness and her willingness to share..... She had a way of doing the homework and then with an excitement would pass on all the information she had gathered..... It was wonderful to be on the receiving end of her efforts! She was an excellent photographer and again she would share !
    Lynne loved her companion Millie and Millie was always there for Lynne ! ROLL ON, LYNNE...... Travel safe and Rest In Peace ...... YOU WILL BE MISSED BUT NOT FORGOTTEN.

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  28. Oh my, so very sorry for your lost and sad for this passage. So very much loved her blog and wonderful, wonderful photos...

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  29. Very sorry for your loss.

    Jim, over on the exploRVistas blog directed his readers to this posting. I’m going back to read your sister’s blog to get to know her. Randy, If I read your post correctly you are heading out on a journey to spread her ashes. Amazing… I hope the trip brings much joy and connects the two of you even more closely. I can’t imagine the emotions of it. Love is the best anyone can get out of this life.

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  30. So sorry to hear about Lynne - her blog was like a breath of fresh air even when she found out she had cancer. I will miss her stories so! Safe travels on your new adventure spreading her ashes. Will you be blogging about it at all? Are you also spreading Millie's ashes with Lynne's? God speed!

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  31. Like so many, we had not met Lynne. But we felt that we knew her as a result of her being so open about her life and circumstance through her writings. She became an inspiration for many. And if all that was what she was, WOW, wouldn't that be enough of a life's contribution? But she was so much more. She lived. And she shared. She will not be so much missed, because she is implanted in our heart and memory. We will think of her often. Particularly during the tough times. But also during the beautiful times.
    If we see you on the road, Randy, we most certainly will wave. May the Lord bless you in your journey.

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  32. So sorry for your loss. Lynne was a treasure.

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  33. FLY WILD AND FREE MY FRIENDS LYNN AN MILLIE. GOD SPEED.

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  34. I'll miss you, Lynne. Randy and family, I think this old poem fits this situation so well. It's always been helpful to me, and I hope it is for you, too.

    Gone From My Sight
    by Henry van Dyke

    I am standing upon the seashore. A ship, at my side,
    spreads her white sails to the moving breeze and starts
    for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength.
    I stand and watch her until, at length, she hangs like a speck
    of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.

    Then, someone at my side says, "There, she is gone."

    Gone where?

    Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast,
    hull and spar as she was when she left my side.
    And, she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port.

    Her diminished size is in me -- not in her.

    And, just at the moment when someone says, "There, she is gone,"
    there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices
    ready to take up the glad shout, "Here she comes!"

    And that is dying ...

    ---

    With appreciation and gratitude,
    Mike

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  36. Randy, if you should feel inclined, we would love to hear from you and your adventures in the View.

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  39. Moving and Storage Services Lynne's family, friends, and those of us who read her blog will miss her. I had the pleasure of meeting her once in person and found her to be exactly as kind as her blog suggested. She will live on in your heart, as well as the hearts of her loved ones.

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