Although it is not a celebration in me, it is a steady and strong pull to consciously connect to my memories of our shared life, but most importantly for me, to remember that day in particular as we gathered around him while he lay giving us the gift of saying "good bye."
That memory is one of the clearest and most defining moments I'd ever been privilege to witness in my father.
He became a true HERO to me that late afternoon, February 13, 2007.
Our family old & young, gathered around his hospital bed – this man who was our father, brother, grandfather, great grandfather, brother-in-law, uncle, and his favorite role husband to Betty – sending him all our love, expressing our gratitude to him, wishing for his safe journey, and reassurancing him that we would care for Mom and one another in his physical absence. So much love extended that this small, gray hospital room began to radiate a golden, calm, peaceful light. A moment in time that was a tangible and precious gift in the midst of long-held suffering and deep grief.
Months before his death, I promised in the presence of my dad that I would return to hospice end-of-life care of the spirit again one day. Sensing my father's once earthly impatience, the time has come as I begin in the one arena I'm most challenged - writing and editing...my community's hospice volunteer newsletter.
Being completely motivated since too early this morning I've nearly completed my first solo edition. And in the mix of reading, editing, and coaching my inner editor I found the most beautiful video on "Grief Rituals."
I invite you to watch this moving permission slip to fully and uniquely communicate, express, and ultimately soothe into healing our anticipatory grief in the time surrounding the death, dying and bereavement process.
***To mute music played on my blog, just go up along the right sidebar until you see the black playlist, and push the pause button-It should be quiet now.***
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