re: Close relative is in hospice...(update page 5)

It was during the wake for my Father that my view of death was changed. Our Pastor left us with a beautiful description of death. Ironically that beloved Pastor himself would experience the sting of death in a couple of months - the victim of a grinding auto accident.

He compared death to a journey across a vast expanse. I remember as he spoke an image of us waving goodbye as my Father boarded a ship filled my mind. Soon the ship became a speck on the distant horizon. The Pastor reminded us that as we wave goodbye to my Father, waiting on the other shore of that vast expanse are members of my Father's family (my sister and her husband, brother, family, friends, ancestors). As the ship carrying my Father approached he was greeted with waving jubilant smiling happy faces with Jesus in the midst of them.

So I don't refer to death as a passing anymore but more like a journey to the other side.

I was privileged to accompany my brother during the final moments of his journey here on earth. While he could still speak he asked his wife if someone could recite the 23rd Pslam. So I opened my Bible and repeated the 23rd Psalm over and over and over. The repetition of that beautiful Pslam gave me great peace as well.

I was given a great gift - I saw his soul pass out of his body. The best way to describe it - it was as if a light had gone out of his body - as if in a 'whoosh' his soul had disconnected from his body leaving behind an empty vessel. There was life - and then there was none.

I pray for you and your family during this difficult time. Jesus, I trust in you.

O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? - 1 Corinthians 15:55