Warning: This is more of a serious kind of blog. It has to do with 'death'. Death can be a sensitive subject to some people...and if you are one of them, click 'X' at the top right or left hand of your screen. If you are curious and are not scared of talking about 'death', then you may continue reading.
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My grandfather (my dad's father) passed away a few days ago. I had not seen him since we moved to Canada in 2002. Though I am sad that I never got to see him again, I am comforted knowing that he had received the seventh sacrament (Anointing of the Sick) and that he was not suffering. RIP Lolo Roger...
I am not scared to talk about a happy death... because as a devout Catholic, death to me means, life ending here on Earth, but it is life forever in Heaven with God where there is no suffering. And hopefully, we get to spend our life in Heaven with the souls whom we also truly love here on Earth.
Working as a nurse in a medical floor in the hospital, I have witnessed many situations that change people's lives in an instant. From a patient finding out he/she is newly diagnosed with an incurable disease... to a doctor telling the sad news to a family that their loved one only has a few days to live... to a dying patient who is fighting to live... and to a patient suffering in their end-of-life all alone in their bedroom. I've seen several dying patients take their last breath right in front of me. It is such a touching situation, that I sometimes have to try very hard to hold the tears back. It is not easy for people who see it for the first time, and I have seen nursing students cry when this moment happens. These situations, honestly, make you stop and think about your own life and life in general.
What if you were the patient or the patient's family? How would you suddenly feel if you were in any of those situations?
Because of these end-of-life situations I've seen, a few years ago, I wrote a poem of (I guess you can say...) my ideal happy death. I am not suicidal... nor am I wishing to die soon. Of course, only God knows when we are all going to die. BUT, if my time were to come... I pray to God, Mother Mary, and all the angels and saints to guide me through a happy death. This is how I've envisioned it...
I have titled it, "Last Breath" Written on Dec 2007
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We're here together
Embracing, tighter than ever
Sharing the last tears and laughter
Now and forever...
I can't ask for anything more than this
For there is no better ending than this
An ending that ends only in this world
That parts us from physical touch...
But our memories will live on
And remain within our souls
For nothing can break or separate
The love that we have so much...
I will watch over you and be proud of you
I will wait for you and meet you
In our paradise when the time comes
But for now, it is my time to go...
I can already sense the kingdom's
Eternal beauty and spirit,
And hear Heaven's voices singing
Just hold on for a few more minutes...
Touch me, comfort me, soothe me,
I want to hear your voice
And feel your lips
Brush against my cheek...
I want to see your smile
And feel your heart beating
Close to mine,
For just one last time...
Hold me until I close my eyes
Pray with me until I fall silent
Stay by my side until my last breath,
Until I see that bright light from the other end.
-emcef
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Each day is a blessing from God.
BE THANKFUL, BE LOVING, BE WILLING TO LEARN AND FORGIVE.
"Live each day as if it was your last... Love those who you hold dear as if you'll never see them again."
Love & Prayers,
Elena
