Grace, Dignity and Love


Another of my church friends climbed the stairway to heaven yesterday, leaving behind happy memories in the wake of grief. Joanne’s husband, daughters, family and friends will miss her smiling face and gentle ways for a long time to come but will take comfort in knowing that she will be as loved in heaven as she was here on earth.

Dying has to be one of life’s most grievous tasks, and yet, as we all know, it is inevitable.

May we all take consolation in knowing that this dear lady faced the end of life as she had always faced life itself, with grace, dignity and love.

Dying With Dignity


Sadly, another one of our church members has died after a very long illness.

It never ceases to amaze me how these dear people deal with end of life issues when they get their prognosis.

Diana told me, “I am supposed to be dying but I don’t know what dying feels like.”

Recently Sue told one of our Pastors that she realized that she had to wait in line in order to “go home!”

These ladies have been an inspiration to many, many people as they courageously met life’s final task of dying.

We will miss their courage and inspiring ways along with their presence in our midst over years gone by and in years to come.

It will always stay with me how, after living full, rich lives, the way that both of these ladies accepted their end days and their final accomplishment was dying with dignity.

To Your Self Be True


In 2003, for whatever reason (memory fails me), I wrote the following for someone special in my life.

To Your Own Self Be True

Act in the way that is true to your own intelligence and beliefs.

Remember that no one can rob you of your own power unless you allow them to do so.

Stand tall and face indignity with dignity, and indecency with decency.

Look truth in the face and use it to overcome deceit.

Remember the respect you have for yourself and those you love, and let no one rob you of that respect.

Always use your inner strength to walk away from a bad situation, and where possible, take someone with you who needs to lean on your strength until they discover their own. The life you save may be your own or that of a friend.

Remember that you are loved dearly by those who matter. Love yourself just as dearly, always.

 

 

 

 

Subtle Sarcasm


Not only is Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948) one of life’s more interesting characters, he is one of my favorite characters. My sister sent me this as an internet forward, and as soon as I read it I knew I had to share it. Such profundity!