A new era

Wow, what a tumultuous start to 2024 it has been. Early in January, my 92 year old mother became ill and had to be hospitalized. Then on Thursday January 25, she passed away peacefully. Although I was a family physician for 40 years and attended many patients in hospital and in the palliative care unit, I found out that nothing can prepare you for the death of your own mother. There were many beautiful moments sitting at the bedside, holding her hand for hours on end while she slept. What a blessing it was to be able to do that, to have that time to contemplate my life, her life, and our lives as part of the Gleeson family.

I turned 69 on January 17 and I knew that entering into my 70th year of life on this planet would provide an opportunity to think and reflect deeply on the years that have passed, as well as on the years ahead that may remain to me.

Now, it will also be a year of reflection on my mother’s life- what she gave to me, what I gave to her, and what the lessons and learnings have been that I would like to carry forward into the rest of my life.

I’m now the oldest one in my nuclear family of origin. What does that mean for me, and for the rest of my family, if anything? I am looking forward to the rest of 2024 and to the reflecting and writing and walking I will do as I sort through it all.

Hoping that your 2024 has gotten off to a good start, an interesting start, and a fulfilling start for you.

Love, Sue