Response to Iconcurr and Jenni Mac,
Dear iconcurr and Jenni Mac,
Thank you for your concern and prayers.
Wow Jennie Mac, three deaths in the past month is pretty astounding. It is truly sad when young people die early, especially before their parents pass away. I think that is the saddest experience to have your children die before you.
At least with the older person, you have time to prepare and get ready for the final event. This does lessen the impact when it actually happens because it is expected. Still the loss of a loved one is always traumatic. Loss of parents and kids seem to affect your emotions most.
The one thing I have learned after working with my mom and dad for so many years is that you never know when DEATH comes calling. When my dad first had his stroke it was moment by moment for 6 months while he was in the hospital…incredible ups and downs daily. It was so frustrating because you were always in a stressful state, not knowing the future, living a life of uncertainty.
After so many years of DEATH being imminent, I suddenly realized that there is no guarantee that I have even one more second to live. You see so many individuals like the young people who died having their lives end in the most unbelievable ways. With an increase in killer tornadoes, tsunamis, earthquakes, floods, terrorist attacks, bizare accidents in the home and on the sports field, deranged killers and murderous psychopaths there is no guarantee to even one more moment of life.
Since the deaths of my mom and dad, I realize the value of prayer…going to daily mass and praying the rosary. Mom and dad were ready to meet God because they were in constant conversation with him.
I have taken their example and started to pray and study the bible daily for at least an hour, go to daily mass and a bible study on Thursday mornings. Since I just started doing all of this on Monday, I have noticed that my emotional and spiritual healing has accelerated. It seems I am in closer contact with my mom and dad at mass because I feel their presence in the house of God. The desire to drink a few beers and have a couple shots of vodka has diminished.
With the extra spiritual food, my attitude has changed from one of loss and grief to victory and gratitude for the opportunity to take care of my parents to the end. It feels awesome to hold my head up high and know that I was able to sacrifice a little for the lot that my parents did for me. In some ways, I feel God is getting ready to give me my next life assignment.
take care,
ralph