When I was diagnosed almost ten years ago, I stumbled across a book by Cardinal Archbishop Joseph Bernardin of Chicago called "The Gift of Peace." Obviously, his personal reflections while dying of pancreatic cancer have strongly religious underpinnings, but I found the observations of this brilliant and caring man to be so very comforting. It's a short read, but worthwhile whether you're a believer, a Christian, an atheist, or just simply a suffering or dying human being. One moving passage reads, "“It is the first day of November, and fall is giving way to winter. Soon the trees will lose the vibrant colors of their leaves and snow will cover the ground. The earth will shut down and people will race to and from their destinations bundled up for warmth. Chicago winters are harsh. It is a time of dying..
“But we know that spring will soon come with all its new life and wonder.
“It is quite clear that I will not be alive in the spring. But I will soon experience new life in a different way.”
Those lines were penned just days before he passed away. None of us knows what happens when we die, but I found a lot of comfort in Bernardin's perspective, and maybe you will too. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts as you come to terms with this new reality.
Post Edited (clocknut) : 10/26/2019 9:30:35 AM (GMT-6)