Another beautiful blog by Gail Engebretson.
Questions To Consider
A couple of days ago I passed the one-month mark of my brother’s passing. This was the second brother whose illness and passing I had been fully engaged in. I thought I had already had all the big questions come up for me with my first brother.
But a new question emerged this time. The week before my brother’s death he told me that part of him wanted to be selfish and not let people come see him. So the question became what is our responsibility as a dying person?
Do we have a responsibility to those outside ourselves, those even beyond our circle of closest family and/or friends? Do we have a responsibility to a larger circle as we make our transition to pure spirit once again?
Physically death can be quite ugly. Do I want people to see me as my body breaks down or I’m in great pain, or I can’t control my bodily functions? Or can I use this experience to help others understand that I am not my body?
Do I need this time to prepare myself for that step into the next life, to be ready to embrace what lies ahead? Or can I take the time to prepare others for my physical absence and how to be open to my continued presence and communication?
Do I need to conserve my strength so I can be fully present to the people who mean the most to me? Or can I give comfort even to those outside my circle and possibly deplete my energy? Can I graciously give of my time when I have so little time left?
Am I content with the contributions I’ve made in this lifetime and am at peace with where I am, or is there still more I can do?
I want to consider these things carefully before I reach that moment in my future. We all wish for “a beautiful and meaningful” death. But what does that mean? What does that mean to you?
~ Gail Engebretson
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Website: Fat No More Lifestyle
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Thank you Gail, for sharing these questions.
Angel Blessings to you.
Sue
Empowerment 4 You LLC
Signs From Your Loved Ones is now available through Kindle version.
Great questions I have never considered. But now that you mention it, I have witnessed dear neighbors do this well. The husband is dying from cancer–the slow growing kind that doesn’t respond to treatment. So he has taken this opportunity to share with others and help them prepare for the day when they will meet God face to face. Everyone who goes to visit leaves being encouraged far more than they expected. I believe we can only encourage others as we die, if we are ready to pass from this life to our eternal home.
Thanks for sharing!
Debi
Beautiful Debi and thank you for sharing. I had a conversation with a friend who is here about the blog too and we really don’t know how we will be, until we’re faced with the situation. I know from my experiences with hospice, that everyone handles it differently. Thank you for sharing your comments. 🙂
Thanks Debi. My brother ultimately decided to share his time and experience near the end with family and friends and they were all grateful for that. I guess I don’t think there’s a right or wrong answer or way to do things. Your neighbor is doing the right thing for him, and his family and friends and neighbors like you, are lucky to experience that with him.
Wow, this goes really deep in true thoughts! I have been left speechless and now in complete wonder. I am sorry about the loss of your brothers, I know it is painful to be without them physically, but I know you are gladd they are not in pain any longer.
Marilyn, you feel about Gail’s questions as I do – speechless. Truly deep thoughts. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much Marilyn. I do miss my brothers terribly – especially Mark. But you are absolutely right about not wanting to see them in pain any longer. I know that suffering can be part of their journey and an opportunity to learn and be ready but that’s still difficult to watch and I found myself praying for release for Mark at the end.