Unique Times

Starlit days and blustery nights
Feelings bloom in the heat of the day
and Cacti desert nights.

A life well lived, beautiful, prickly bundled into one.
Your bark was always worse than your bite
but stung like thistles of the Cholla cacti that shot needles.

Still, you were loved like no other
by the your grandkids once removed by kin.
You prayed, and loved them next to none.
Your best self shined through their colorful eyes.
Mr. Grumpy to the end, you lived the way you died.

Life continues either way, the bitter and the sweet.
I’m grateful for the lessons learned
of where to land my heart and feet,
what legacy I want to leave behind,
and the unconditional love you gave each one of them.

We’re never sure of how we’ll be perceived
but I pray mine will be one of love.
Starlit days and blustery nights
Feelings bloom in the heat of the day
and Cacti desert nights.

And now your day has come
and all your sins have been absolved
on this Cacti desert Palm Sunday.

Is war perhaps nothing else but a need to face death, to conquer and master it, to come out of it alive — a peculiar form of denial of our mortality?
Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, On Death and Dying

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The gift of silence is paralleled to none other and rarely given.  
To bare witness to someone’s soul as it leaves their body is a treasured gift. 
When we can learn to sit with ourselves while our mind ping pongs and ricochets,
we build a reserve of tolerance and exercise this muscle of presence. 
It becomes easier and a welcome friend. 
There are few words in this space when souls connect
and there is no greater gift to you can give another human being when they cross safely to the other side.

Thanks to all of you for your wishes for my stepfather.  Your love and prayers were heard as he died around 1:35 p.m. yesterday on Palm Sunday with all of his family with him while he took his last breath.  It was truly a beautiful and a very peaceful passing with all of his family around him. They held his hand and gave him their love and blessings that he gave them for years as we sent him off. My kids gratefully all made it home in time while the battled the crowded airports.

He was a devoted Catholic and never missed a Palm Sunday or a weekly sermon at church prior to Covid. My stepbrother went to church on the morning and brought him a Palm that he turned into a cross and placed it on his pillow and then went to the Giants game In his honor.  One of his great pleasures was opening day “when the Giants came to town” and he went every year with my mom and his kids or grandkids.  He never stayed through the game either and sure enough took his last breath during the 3rd inning. It was a win all the way around and the Giants took The Marlins 3-2.

While I am not Catholic I find it quite profound that he would make his transition on this holy day.  As he was crossing over I said “you are absolved of all of your sins” which is what you live for as a catholic. Below is a definition if you aren’t familiar with it.  

Palm Sunday commemorates the entrance of Christ into Jerusalem, when palm branches were placed in his path, before his arrest on Holy Thursday and his crucifixion on Good Friday. It thus marks the beginning of Holy Week, the final week of Lent.

Tips in helping someone you love pass in dignity and peace:

If you are blessed enough to be with someone while they are making their transition sacred and give them comfort these are really helpful:

1. Create a quiet environment.
2. Sit in silence.
3. Speak soothing words.
4. Dim the lighting.
5. Keep the patient’s mouth moist.
6. Play soft music, if helpful.
7. Use gentle touch.

The ultimate lesson all of us have to learn is unconditional love, which includes not only others but ourselves as well.
Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

We put on his favorite song for him to hear when he was leaving. He told his daughter last week, “I want you to come with me”. I know he’s singing now and we’re singing him praises. 2 of the girls stayed all night with my mom and one of his other granddaughter is visiting this morning.

Keep your song and love in your heart as you move through your day! P.S. I’m still running behind but trying to catch up. Thanks for your patience.

Blessings of Love,

💖🙏

Cindy

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