My Journey With Health And Fitness – Living With Memories

It is definitely hot here in Playa del Carmen. Yesterday it got up to 37 degrees Celsius and it will likely be the same today. I spent a fair amount of time in our pool yesterday but to be honest it has been so hot lately that the pool is now like a tepid bath. However, it is still cooler that the outside air so provides some relief.

We are 2 weeks away from celebrating my brother’s 1st heavenly anniversary. If you recall he was with us at the condo when he passed. That was the 3rd year in a row that he had joined us for an extended trip at the condo and he loved it here. The challenge I have right now is that on Facebook memories of all those trips have been popping up almost every day. The ones from last year are the hardest because I think, if we only knew what was soon going to happen we would have done things differently. However, when I reflect on that I don’t think we would have. He looks so happy in all the pictures and he was obviously having a great time. What a way to spend the last 6 weeks of your life.

Living with these memories can be really hard but that is why I embrace Dia de los Muertos, Day of the Dead. The belief is that you are never truly gone as long as someone remembers you. Last year we put together the altar for Day of the Dead. This included memories and offerings such as my brother’s favourite things. We also set up a digital picture frame with lots of pictures of him (actually we still have those pictures running) and made sure there were things like KD and a can of Bud. My sister and I actually found it quite cathartic to set up that altar and as we would think of him we often came up with something to add.

On June 7th we are hosting a heavenly anniversary party for my brother. It will be a gathering of several of the friends he made down here. I know I will likely shed a few tears but I am hoping there will also be some great stories and lots of laughter. As for my sister back at home, close friends will be joining her for dinner that night, Chinese food of course. Pretty sure they will be sharing similar memories to ours in Playa.