“Naked came I out of my mother’s womb and naked shall I return: the Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” Job 1:21
Never was this truth so poignantly displayed as in the wee hours of this morning. Family members were gathered around the hospital bed of my father, who was struggling to take his final breaths on this earth. As we watched the numbers on the monitor drop and the heartbeat become more sporadic, it was clear his 88 years were coming to completion. Slowly and peacefully he drifted off, leaving us to wonder what he was experiencing and with whom he was reuniting.
Within minutes of the straight line on the monitor, a sound from down the hall:
a newborn baby cry.
My dad: January 10, 1923 – March 29, 2011
Blessed be the name of the Lord.
a small drop of ink 
Know how much your Dad meant to you… sorry to hear of his passing, Dinah. Sending you comforting thoughts.
This poem is a favorite of mine.
Death is nothing at all
I have only slipped away into the next room
I am I and you are you
Whatever we were to each other
That we are still
Call me by my old familiar name
Speak to me in the easy way you always used
Put no difference into your tone
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow
Laugh as we always laughed
At the little jokes we always enjoyed together
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me
Let my name be ever the household word that it always was
Let it be spoken without effort
Without the ghost of a shadow in it
Life means all that it ever meant
It is the same as it ever was
There is absolute unbroken continuity
What is death but a negligible accident?
Why should I be out of mind
Because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you for an interval
Somewhere very near
Just around the corner
All is well.
Nothing is past; nothing is lost
One brief moment and all will be as it was before
How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting when we meet again!
Canon Henry Scott-Holland, 1847-1918, Canon of St Paul’s Cathedral
Thanks Jan. Finally let myself cry after reading this. Very healing.
DB (Daddy’s Baby – remember?!)
JT 🙂
Once again you’ve said so much with so few words. My prayers are with you, my sister in Christ.
Thanks Nancy. Appreciate you.
Dear Lord, Please cover my dear friend with your wings of comfort, surround her with your angels and give her your peace that passes all understanding- help us to carry her burden of grief to you- thank You for healing of hearts in Jesus name Amen.
Love you so much.
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of loss. Remember, “How Great Thou Art” and that your Dad is surrounded by love! Best Wishes this weekend, I’ll be with you in spirit. ~Sue