“Somebody should tell us, right at the start of our lives, that we are dying. Then we might live life to the limit, every minute of every day. Do it! I say. Whatever you want to do, do it now! There are only so many tomorrows.”
Pope Paul VI quotes (Italian Pope. 1897-1978)
I’ve had too many encounters with death in the past few months. We started with a good friend’s father, then my dad and now more.
After church yesterday, I logged into my computer and started up Facebook. While scanning the silly games and quick updates of friends and friends of friends, I came across the saddest entry:
Eternal rest grant unto Patrick, oh Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen. Patrick J**** W******. July 16, 1985 - October 24, 2010.
I completely broke down. After the Saturday I had, it was hard to take the news. This was a friend of mine from college, someone with whom I had acted, with whom I had built sets and someone who really WAS the SLU community.
I was amazed by all the people on my Facebook page who have been posting on his page, remembering moments they had with Patrick and offering up prayers for him and his family. He was truly loved by so many people.
Apparently, he was diagnosed with lung cancer (we think) a few weeks ago. As in, September. His dad posted a few days ago about him in the ICU and what all was going on.
And then yesterday morning around 11 am, his dad posted that entry above. I was speechless. I had no idea what to write on his page or say to our friends. How can someone who is 25 years old die…cease to be with us on this Earth.. be taken to Heaven so soon?
It’s so hard to understand the will of God.
I have to keep remembering what my mother told me when I called her for some clarity after I found out. She said that if truly believe what we do – that there is an Eternal Reward after death, that Heaven awaits us – then we must not grieve for the dead, but grieve for ourselves, because we are not in Heaven yet. We are here on Earth, yet they are in Paradise and peace.
Patrick has no more pain from that cancer, he will hurt no more.
Bless him and his family and may he rest in peace.
I'm so sorry Jessica. I too have had to learn that lesson, and a verse from 1 Thessalonians comes to mind, along the lines of "for we do not grieve as those who have no hope."
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for your losses and for all the pain you must be struggling with. May you find peace and joy in the memories of these people you hold so dear.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry about the news. My mom also has told me the same thing your mom told you. They are in heaven and no longer in pain and we will see them again.
ReplyDeleteI hope you're having a good day!
So sorry to hear this. :( It's shocking how suddenly life can end, and it seems so senseless. 25 is so young. Again, sorry about this news. Stay strong.
ReplyDelete@Doctor's Wife - thank you. It's been so hard the past few months but I do know that God only gives us what we can handle. Gotta concentrate on that.
ReplyDelete@newteacherwife - We just have to remember that they aren't in pain. That does make a little bit better.
ReplyDelete@Claudia - thank you for your comment! :) I'll try and stay strong given all the stuff that's been thrown our way the past few months.
ReplyDeletePraying for you.
ReplyDeleteThat's so tough. I'm sorry that you're having to go through so much lately, but I love what your mom said. She's absolutely right.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry :(
ReplyDelete@Marissa - thanks for your note. It's so tough but I'm moving through everything.
ReplyDeletewowwww. im so sorry - that's so tough.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry. Life is so short.
ReplyDelete