At about 3am, Sunday before Christmas, 2012, a great lover flew to God's arms in Heaven. She left this physical universe bearing a mountain of Love which is the only thing which God cares about, and the only thing that He cannot have without us freely giving it. She thereby brings Him one of the greatest Christmas Presents He's had in years --- 96 and 1/2 years of choosing Love.
We'll miss our Mom, true, but it was her amazing body's time to finally give into old age. She was ready; we were ready; God was doubtless ready and patiently awaiting her. We know she is more than welcome in the afterlife and that this transition is a joy. The only tears shed here are tears of affection and not sadness. We are happy for Mom, and God, too.
When Dad died, as we sat in the family home, a great buck deer came from behind the neighbors' house across the street and walked directly towards our living room window. Getting as close as it could, it stayed there staring in on the family producing great awe in all of us. It then quietly turned and walked calmly back the way it had come.
When we got word from the nursing home that Mom had passed, two of my brothers, my sister-in-law, and I drove over. We parked, and got out. Between the nearby houses, twenty feet away, appeared two deer. They calmly stared at us awhile, and walked quietly away.
It's been a good life. And it has a happy ending. Carrying a light burden now: just love.
For me, it's time to make my own mundane transition. Much to do here in Wheeling to finish all the necessary activities associated with a death, and then the moving out of my "stuff" to "permanently" resettle back home in Michigan. The Blog might have to go silent for a time. Till then, my friends.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful tribute. The salute from the deer is perfect.
ReplyDeleteSad news Michael.
ReplyDeleteFrom your posts over the year, it was clear that you'd made peace with the inevitable and maybe done your grieving as the times passed on. The thoughts of a stranger don't always amount to much,but,regardless of that, I wish you well anyway and hope the deer come calling in the New Year.
Lovely photos of your mother. And, the deers showing themselves at your parents passing - deeply moving.
ReplyDeleteTake good care of yourself, professor.
Warm Regards,
Susan
Our thoughts are with you.
ReplyDeleteDear Professor,
ReplyDeleteMy condolences.
-Steve M.
Dear Professor,
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts are with you at this sad time. It is never easy to say goodbye to a loved one, even under these circumstances. She is in a better place now. Take care.
You took good care of her, making an inevitable transition that all of us will have peaceful and smooth. She now knows the answers you've been seeking for a lifetime.
ReplyDeleteBJG
A very moving eulogy Professor. My sad condolences go with you. I hope the New year brings you much joy.
ReplyDeleterc
That was moving, indeed, Professor and the sweetest possible sign that Love is eternal and Life continues always. Thank you for taking time to share that with us.
ReplyDeleteDear Mike,
ReplyDeletemy sincere condolences. Your mother clearly was a special lady, easily noted in the affection, time and love you gave her. Always a time for reflection, deep thoughts and appreciation of family connections and legacies. I was moved by the deer connections - surely a sign of its ok I'm going now, good company ahead, take care. For some things are less clear but still insightful. Dr. Jeremy Beckett in a 1976 preface to Prof. A.P. Elkin's classic "Aboriginal Men of high degree" re Australian shaman's wrote of the mixed difficulties of the passing of native shamans. Some were "too clever to live" others despaired "as they found the younger generation unwilling or unfit to receive their knowledge. THe half-caste Bandjigali, George Dutton, told (Beckett) how, as a young drover, he refused to take on the powers of a dying uncle. Riding home that night he saw the euro (hill kangaroo) which was the old man's familar accompanying him along a stretch of road and then turning off into the darkness." Your breath of exploration and dialogues on diverse matters often beyond mortal ken - "The Big Study" - are testaments to a torch well lit and well carried to light a way through our darkness. Best wishes & sympathetic support from Bill in OZ.
Bless you, Bill, and thank you.
ReplyDeleteMom was not as complicated as a shaman. She simply and openly lived and radiated love. Great lady, pure example of the feminine nurturer, great Mom. When she passed, I believe that she passed "transparently and softly", directly to God.
The Big Study, as you, being the fellow you are, clearly see, is intended as nothing but that light, that torch. I would never do this for "entertainment". These subjects, or moreso the ways these subjects expand our spirits and our consciousness, are deeply important. Even the "just maybe" minor anomalies go into us and call out that purer seeker we all should be. We REALLY need that. We REALLY need to be more than materialists and consumers and hysterical chasers after the latest thing we're told about on TV.
I'm far too meagre a presence to shine much light in the tremendous darkness all about, and can't even be sure that what I do is helping or just wrong-headed foolishness or badly done. This thought always humbles me, but one does what one can.