Heartache
“Son, why have you done this to us?”[i] Okay. I’m just going to say it. I don’t want to contract covid–19 and die. I don’t want any of my loved … Continue Reading Heartache
A Better Place?
When a person dies, we may try to comfort the family and friends who are mourning by telling them that the person has gone to a better place. This isn’t … Continue Reading A Better Place?
Was or Is? Life after Death
This week, a woman from my parish died of cancer. When I was thinking about the best way to describe how I know her, I found myself struggling with verb … Continue Reading Was or Is? Life after Death
Soft Rains: Sara Teasdale
In the midst of our divisive, too often violent world, I have often found myself resting back on this poem: (War Time) There will come soft rains and the smell of … Continue Reading Soft Rains: Sara Teasdale
Christians: The Living Dead
On Easter Sunday, I remembered something: I’m already dead. Why fear death if I’ve already died? That sounds odd, I know, but we Christians believe that Jesus died on the … Continue Reading Christians: The Living Dead
Leaving with These Words
Last year, I had several health challenges that reminded me, yet again, of how fragile and fleeting my life is. Having been born with a rare disease and living all … Continue Reading Leaving with These Words
Respecting Death: an Odd Family Tradition
I’m a stickler for family traditions. Therefore, as I told my doctor, my preferred way to die is of some kind of cardiac incident in a church. That was how … Continue Reading Respecting Death: an Odd Family Tradition
Life with Dignity: a Personal Plea against Assisted Suicide
Saint Augustine wrote, “it is never licit [right] to kill another: even if he should wish it, indeed if he request it because, hanging between life and death, he begs … Continue Reading Life with Dignity: a Personal Plea against Assisted Suicide
Joy of Heaven
When I was going through my cancer scare, a friend of mine asked me to pray for her friend who had just been told that his leukemia was terminal. And … Continue Reading Joy of Heaven
Prepare to Die
Wrote this while two people in my life are actively dying, Mr. John Meehan, a friend and mentor, and my cousin’s husband, Larry Winger. May God grant them peace… Well, … Continue Reading Prepare to Die
Expire
Now, breathe out… “His body is letting him down.” We say this about a person who is getting old or becoming sick with an incurable disease. Why? Isn’t the … Continue Reading Expire
Before I Die
Before I die, I want to_____________________ How would you complete this sentence? It’s a good question to answer during this season of Lent, when we contemplate our own mortality and … Continue Reading Before I Die
Remember
“Remember that you are dust, and unto dust you shall return.” This flesh, this body of mine, is mortal. It cannot last. Nobody can. Everything living on earth will die … Continue Reading Remember
God Is Good
My father had open heart surgery this past Monday because of blocked coronary arteries. He had a septuple bypass – I didn’t even know one could have that many! We … Continue Reading God Is Good
Pauses
Tomorrow, my father is undergoing cardiac catheterization. He’s almost 69 and this procedure is fairly routine, but… This is one of those moments that gives us pause as human beings. … Continue Reading Pauses
Respect Life – What Does That Mean?
You may or may not know this, but – October is Respect Life Month. This is certainly not as “mainstream” as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which has even caused football … Continue Reading Respect Life – What Does That Mean?
