Transitions

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-22-2003
Transitions
11
Fri, 02-24-2006 - 9:50pm

My father died this morning.  He stopped eating at the beginning of the week, slept a lot more than usual, and by last night was transferred to the extended care unit of the Methodist home where he and Mom lived.  He passed peacefully in his sleep early this morning.  He was 92 years old. 


After the obligatory phone calls this morning, I went to work, where my wonderful co-workers gave me support and energy throughout the day.  I have spent the day in and out of bouts of tears, yet always knowing that he is in a far, far better place.  My beliefs in the eternal soul are solid, yet there is a pocket of loss in my heart that will be there for the rest of this life. 


As the shock of the loss ebbs, I have had a kalaidascope of wonderful images and precious memories.  I will be writing the eulogy, and with the help of my brothers and sister, all my guides and my father's spirit, will be able to deliver it with the dignity and great love with which it is written.  And a wonderful thing has happened.  All four of the children, my siblings, will be together for the first time in 12 years.  We have been on the phone to each other all day.  My mother is at peace and looking forward with great anticipation to seeing us all again.  She suffered the loss of her beloved husband of 66 years gradually over the past year, as he slipped into dementia, and then was moved to constant care in their life-care facility.  Her emotions range from the deepest grief to relief, but she has no guilt.  She knew yesterday that he was already gone.  His spirit had sealed itself off from his body.  When I grow up I want to be just like her.


The soul is always in transition.  Birth is far more difficult for all parties involved than death seems to be for the dying.  The soul takes over consciousness of the reality of the physical being and brings a state of anticipation, and the living watch as life leaves the body even before the body stops functioning.  Dad was ready to leave us.  He has been joyfully welcomed to the other side, with a rousing "Well done, good and faithful servant!" 


He is dearly missed on this earthly plane.  I'll be gone for awhile as the family convenes and celebrates his life..  Your healing energy for me and my family is acknowledged and appreciated. 


Barbara


 


 


 




Pages

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: cl_binkeebee
Fri, 02-24-2006 - 10:18pm

For the 2nd time today I'm in tears reading your words.

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-12-2003
In reply to: cl_binkeebee
Fri, 02-24-2006 - 11:00pm

Thumbs up to the title of this thread.

I do feel that this period in time is a significant transitionary period for many of us. I too lost my father in July '05. My close friend lost her father in October. My sister is quickly losing her father in law to cancer.

It is healthy and normal to grieve loss. But because I also believe that we go on to a better place on a different plane, I celebrate this transition. It is something I look forward to myself. I see more and more evidence each day of this "better place". Our short stay here is just a quick stopover. Makes you really think about what really matters, what really leaves a permanent mark on our hearts.

· · · : : : P O S I T I V E : : V I B E S : : : · · ·

-gnd-

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-13-2003
In reply to: cl_binkeebee
Fri, 02-24-2006 - 11:15pm

Dearest Bink,
so sorry that just now, I come across this thread of yours. First of all, my condoleances with the death of your beloved parent and all I can say, is keep as best you can!

I don't know what it means to loose a parent, as my father died, 4 months prior to my birth and because of the war, in my life, to my mother, I was the parent and the breadwinner etc etc.

I have lived for a long time without a parent. So I can't realy relate.. But a loss is a loss, whichever way one wants to look at it, and something like this, will throw you off kilter for a while, but as I have always missed my parents, I am sure that you will continue to feel that as well.. Albeit perhaps as time passess, the loss will be less than it was the day before?

Lost of strength at the time of the Eulogy and give yourself as much grieving time as you need. All the very best and God be with you!
greets from the old brush

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-31-2006
In reply to: cl_binkeebee
Fri, 02-24-2006 - 11:32pm
Bink,
I haven't been here long, but have seen your sweet spirit and I too send my prayers and sincere condolences at your loss.
Hugs,
Nikki
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-19-2003
In reply to: cl_binkeebee
Sat, 02-25-2006 - 1:57am
Barbara, I'm sorry to hear of the loss of your father. I know he'll be pleased to see all of his children together for his "going away party" ^_^. Just remember, it isn't a "good-bye", just sort of a "see you later".
May God bless you and your family in everything you do.
Tara


Image hosted by Photobucket.com
Image hosted by Photobucket.com
Image hosted by Photobucket.com

Image hosted by Photobucket.com
Image hosted by Photobucket.com
Image hosted by Photobucket.com

Image hosted by Photobucket.com
Image hosted by Photobucket.com





Visit my homepage!
My hubby’s website!


"We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience." ~Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

Image hosting by Photobucket
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: cl_binkeebee
Sat, 02-25-2006 - 6:30am
Sending lots of love and hugs. you know there is only a thin veil from us to the other side. Will put some reiki energy around him for the transition. Love ya, Leila
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-14-2004
In reply to: cl_binkeebee
Sat, 02-25-2006 - 10:50am

Sorry to hear of the loss of your father, Barbara.


Sending positive energy and Prayers. Take care.




Be gentle with yourself. Be kind to yourself.


You may not be perfect, but you are all You've got to work with.


iVillage Member
Registered: 02-28-2005
In reply to: cl_binkeebee
Sat, 02-25-2006 - 11:28am

Hey Bink, just now saw your post. I'm really sorry to hear about your loss. I admire your strength in dealing with your grief. Everything of this world is temporary and never really ours to keep, and death is a very powerful reminder of that. I know it's hard and painful to soak that all in when you love so much, but that's the great thing about love. It is eternal and it is ours to keep.

Your father seems to have lived a long, happy life up till the end, and for that, I'm thankful, as I'm sure you are, too. God bless you and your family. Enjoy the time you have together.

C

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-04-2004
In reply to: cl_binkeebee
Sat, 02-25-2006 - 12:35pm

I received the book "The Next Place",

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-22-2003
In reply to: cl_binkeebee
Sat, 02-25-2006 - 2:25pm

Thank you...


I'm going to read that at the end of


Pages