Dear blyssbeings, I break from my blog series on Virtues for this installment since over the past few days I have been experiencing the dying of my father who has been in the hospital for two months in the latter stages of Alzheimer Disease.

I thought it might be helpful to share my feelings in the event that some of you may be experiencing a similar loss or will at some point, as we all must face the death of a loved one eventually.

I’ve come to look at death from a different perspective over the past few years, particularly after having shared some of the final hours with my mother who passed nearly 20 years ago. In fact as in a quote from Madame de Stael, “We understand death for the first time when he puts his hand upon one whom we love.”    

I’ve come to understand that talking about dying is a very personal subject matter and that we all come to it with our own set of beliefs and interpretations about what will follow death. Since none of us will really know until it is our own time to leave this life, I’ve found that the best practice is to just be open to the shared expression of people’s grief, no matter what form it takes. I believe the collective energy of love surrounding the dying person is the only thing that truly matters, and offers a blessing to those who witness the journey as well as the person who is dying.

You see, I believe the real blessing comes from the intimacy of those twilight conversations - the whispers of love, forgiveness and gratitude. The quiet moments to be forever remembered. The final send off into the next chapter of the soul’s experience. That’s the blessing.

I can only wish that when my time comes, I will be also surrounding by those I love, for I know that a tender touch and a gentle smile will be all that I need to comfort me as I surrender to the other side.

And while I’m still living on this side, I will do my best to make each day matter. The blessing of life and the blessing of death – one circle of blessing.

Until next time, I wish you a blyssful week that matters.

Love from your blyssmama!

P.S. “Healthy children will not fear life if their elders have integrity enough not to fear death.”  - Erik H. Erikson