My father passed away on Monday, November 17 and was given a Catholic burial today. We mourn the loss of him on earth, but are comforted by the knowledge that he has gone to a better place, in the presence of our Lord and Saviour. He was 81 and lived a full and happy life, but was debilitated by a brain injury 24 years ago, incurred as the result of a hit and run accident while cycling on a country road.

Ten years ago, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and developed dementia as well. He fought the frustrations manifested by Parkinson’s – the tremors, impairment to his mobility and speech and ultimately, his inability to swallow. He died peacefully and knew us to the last. We were blessed with many small mercies.

I will miss him mightily, but I trust we will meet once more.

Have you lost someone in your life? Do you know someone who suffers with pain or disease? How do you deal with it? What do you pray? Let’s talk about it.

Beatasum