In Death, We Find Life

There was no mistaking the excruciating pain in my heart the day my father died. I was sure his last breath was my own as well, for I just knew I could not survive in this world without his daily presence. Twenty plus years later, I still miss him dearly everyday, but I no longer grieve with a mournful heart because I now know and understand that he is still very much alive and well, and able to comfort and visit me from the Other Side anytime.

It took me years to understand the depth of the lessons I learned from my father during our time together. While I was growing up, he would always tell me that above all else, “always be true to yourself”. He also taught me the importance of living a decent moral life, and to never judge others ~ for we don’t know the circumstances of their life. Then, once his “tour of duty” was up on earth, he was called Home and I was sure his death would teach me nothing more than life was a cruel joke and God was unfair. Little did I know at the time, his death was going to teach me far more about life ~ both mortal and eternal ~ then I could ever have imagined.

Sadly, my father’s death was not a sudden one, but a long and painful experience as his body slowly withered away day by day, until he finally succumbed to the unyielding grasp of cancer that literally ate him alive. Near the end of his long, but stoic battle, I spent many nights by his hospital bedside where we would talk for hours throughout the night about anything and everything. We were completely open, free and honest with one another because, after all, this was no time to lie or deny. We made more confessions to each other than we ever thought we would admit too.

One night in particular, considering what he was facing, I had to ask him if he was afraid to die? I did not expect the response he gave me. His immediate answer was an instant “no”. Which really did surprised me because I knew I was afraid of death ~ his and mine. In fact, I was terrified. When I asked him why he wasn’t afraid, he told me he had no fear because he knew, with out doubt, where he was going and what to expect.