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My father-in-law, “Deacon Dad,” had breakfast this morning. My wife and #3 daughter were there, lending a hand. He had been hospitalized recently, returning home a few days back.<\/p>\nMy father-in-law, “Deacon Dad,” had breakfast this morning. My wife and #3 daughter were there, lending a hand. He had been hospitalized recently, returning home a few days back.<\/p>\n
A priest came later in the morning, with the Eucharist. My father-in-law asked for, and received, a blessing. Then he started a nap, and died.<\/p>\n
I can think of few better ways to leave this life.<\/p>\n
The family is being told about today’s loss. Has been told, I would think, by now. It’s about twenty after four in the afternoon. The next few days will be \u2014 eventful. Interesting. It’s a largish family, and this is a major event in our lives.<\/p>\n
We’re all feeling the loss, each according to our circumstances and nature.<\/p>\n
My son and I had a good talk about woodworking, city planning, golf courses, the Myst\/Cyan games \u2014 all of which made sense in these circumstances, for folks like us. Like me, anyway.<\/p>\n
I’ve also wept a bit, and decided to start writing this.<\/p>\n
There’s a lot to say. But I’ll skip pious platitudes, saccharin slogans and all that. This really doesn’t seem like a time for that sort of hokum. I’m not convinced that it’s ever appropriate. Except in stories, and that’s another topic.<\/p>\n
Besides, I’ve talked about life, death, and the big picture before:<\/p>\n
My father-in-law, “Deacon Dad,” had breakfast this morning. My wife and #3 daughter were there, lending a hand. He had been hospitalized recently, returning home a few days back. A priest came later in the morning, with the Eucharist. My … Continue reading