(305) DEATH NEVER TAKES A HOLIDAY
On Friday, I attended the funeral of my friend Martin’s mother. It was a beautiful ceremony. On New Year’s Eve, Martin left early to go to his mother's side. He observed that this may be her last year. On Thursday, January 21, 2010, Chris, Martin and I had dinner at the Uptown. During dinner, his mother called several times. He assured her that he would be right over at the conclusion of dinner. She died Wednesday, January 27, 2010. The most amazing thing occurred at the funeral--the Rabbi quoted Martin's Mom, "When I’m gone, the only thing that will be left of me is the love that I have given you. Give it away."
What an awesome thought!
******
My wife Beverly has worked for Jude for six years in a large law firm. I never met Jude, but I knew he was a fitness person who rode his bicycle every day at lunch. When he was diagnosed with cancer, the local doctors sent him to Mayo. He received chemotherapy, which damaged his heart. He died this morning (Saturday, January 30, 2010) on the way back home from the Mayo Clinic. On Friday, he talked to Beverly on the phone, and Beverly reported that he sounded weak. He had been at Mayo for months. He was anxious to get home to see his sons. He was a proud father. In the phone conversation, he reported that it might take a year for him to recover from the treatments.
He was in his fifties. All of these occasions give us a chance to mourn ourselves. I’ve had two days of mourning. Even as I write, I know I’m on the down-side of the hill. Reverting back to what Martin said at New Year’s Eve: ‘Live it while you can.’ I have dedicated this day to pure hedonistic pleasure. I am going to do the same thing tomorrow. Join me.
Sincerely,
Don Heavrin,
On the death watch
What an awesome thought!
******
My wife Beverly has worked for Jude for six years in a large law firm. I never met Jude, but I knew he was a fitness person who rode his bicycle every day at lunch. When he was diagnosed with cancer, the local doctors sent him to Mayo. He received chemotherapy, which damaged his heart. He died this morning (Saturday, January 30, 2010) on the way back home from the Mayo Clinic. On Friday, he talked to Beverly on the phone, and Beverly reported that he sounded weak. He had been at Mayo for months. He was anxious to get home to see his sons. He was a proud father. In the phone conversation, he reported that it might take a year for him to recover from the treatments.
He was in his fifties. All of these occasions give us a chance to mourn ourselves. I’ve had two days of mourning. Even as I write, I know I’m on the down-side of the hill. Reverting back to what Martin said at New Year’s Eve: ‘Live it while you can.’ I have dedicated this day to pure hedonistic pleasure. I am going to do the same thing tomorrow. Join me.
Sincerely,
Don Heavrin,
On the death watch
posted by Donald Heavrin at 3:30 PM
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