Dying Well I lived for thousands and thousands of years as a mineral, And then died and became a plant. And I lived for thousands and thousands of years as a plant, And then died and became an animal. And I lived for thousands and thousands of years as an animal, And then died and … Continue reading Dying Well
Podcast of Saying Goodbye, Part 5
Saying Goodbye, Part 5
Saying Goodbye, Part 5 All the events of life, even such dark events as war, famine and flood, violence and murder, are not irreversible fatalities. Each moment is like a seed that carries within itself the possibility of becoming the moment of change... Henri Nouwen[1] In last week’s Life Note, I shared my experience of … Continue reading Saying Goodbye, Part 5
Podcast of Saying Goodbye, Part 4
Saying Goodbye, Part 4
Saying Goodbye, Part 4 If I die with much anger and bitterness, I will leave my family and friends behind in confusion, guilt, shame, or weakness. Henri Nouwen[1] My Uncle Jim was larger than life to me. He married my father’s sister, Maxine, about the time I was born, so I knew him my entire … Continue reading Saying Goodbye, Part 4
Podcast of Saying Goodbye, Part 3
Saying Goodbye, Part 3
Saying Goodbye, Part 3 I realize on a very deep level that dying is the most important act of living. It involves a choice to bind others with guilt or to set them free with gratitude. Henri Nouwen[1] The five things we should consider saying to those we love before they or we die are: … Continue reading Saying Goodbye, Part 3
Podcast of Saying Goodbye, Part 2
Saying Goodbye, Part 2
Saying Goodbye, Part 2 Preparing ourselves for our deaths is the most important task of life, at least when we believe that death is not the total dissolution of our identity but the way to its fullest revelation…Jesus speaks about his death as being “lifted up.” Henri Nouwen[1] During the Sending Ceremony for the 2017 … Continue reading Saying Goodbye, Part 2
Contemplating Grace 