Mortality

One of the memories I have from my childhood were remarks by my parents about the death of someone special, usually a movie star from their early days, but also of older celebrities.  The impression I had was one of recognizing that people of a certain age begin to leave us.  This seemingly unimportant memory fragment has stayed with me through the years.

Now I am at an age when many of the celebrities that I knew from my childhood or early adult years are beginning to leave us.  I find myself always remembering the reaction of my parents as they noted their period celebrities move on. 

Today I learned that a dear friend is in hospice care.  Her loving family surrounds her, consisting of her daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  There is a wonderful spirit of love and caring that is evident beyond what many families today share.  Many of our families today are so separated, geographically as well as emotionally, that there may not be that comforting feeling of sharing important moments.

As time moves inevitably closer to my own mortality, I cannot help but reflect upon my life experiences and the family and friends who have walked alongside me on my path.  Personally, I have never felt that mortality represented loss.  Certainly, the nature of our relationships change, but there is, for me, always the closeness in my heart of those who are important to me.

So today I send my special love and blessings to my friend who is preparing for her own departure from this earthly experience.  She is resting in the love and support of her family and gracefully accepting her continuation along the road of life that never ends.

God bless you, friend!