There was wake for two days and then the funeral. Rather than mourning his loss at the funeral, I felt like everyone gathered there was celebrating a life well lived. I was very surprised by the strength and composure shown by his wife and children at his demise and the calmness with which they carried out the tasks associated with the burial and the reception afterwards. I observed when people went to offer condolences to the bereaved and the grace with which our cousin’s family received them and accepted their greetings. I realized that they have already come into terms with his departure and must have found the time earlier to talk it out with him- the sorrow that they are going to experience in his wake. That must have subdued the sadness and the rage that they would be feeling now, knowing that he is watching them over right at that moment and he is willing them to know that they are not alone. I have witnessed his journey with cancer when it started off a year and half earlier. He was on a lot of medication to avoid chemo at first but had to go for it with the odds stacking up against his health eventually. His will power to endure the pain and discomfort that came along with cancer was amazing during this time period and I was told that he managed to go to church on his ‘better days’with the support of his wife and insisted in doing so until the end. I have never seen him without a smile on his face even during the tough times and he never stopped believing in the inherent goodness of it all. He might have found positive reasons behind this grim predicament or rather, he must have understood how much God had loved him to take him away from this world prematurely!
He genuinely loved children and during our last visit to his place, I remember him gathering enough strength to focus his tired eyes on Kevin and Krista and trying to ‘smile’ at them and it brought tears to my eyes. It breaks my heart to think that Kevin and Krista will never know him in their grown up life and his love and care in our kids’ life will never be replaced. I really don’t know what went through his mind in the last days on earth. I was never able to talk to him once the Cancer started working on him in full swing. But all I know for sure (that too without anyone telling me this for a fact) is that he was ready to leave. He was a man who was dearly loved by his people, he was a man who never failed in fulfilling his responsibilities and he was also a man who found joy and happiness in the life that he lived. And when the time came, he did not hesitate or regret, leaving. Instead he thanked God for the Life that he was blessed with all these years surrounded by his wonderful family and passed away in peace with the knowledge that he has done all his duties in every possible way…My dear cousin, you will be greatly missed. But I am sure you know that already…
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May his soul rest in peace. Cancer is such a horrible disease. I mean all disease are horrible but cancer is a mother of all other disease. Not only patient but their family also go through tremendous mental pain.
Hope scientist come up soon with some cures for cancer . Cancer is growing rapidly these days.
Its a very tough time for your family and your cousin’s family. May God give you strength to cope up with your grieve . Take care.
Thank you for your kind words Shainee. I so hope that time will heal everything!
Rest in Peace he’s with God now.. 🙂
Thank you.He is.
I am very sorry to hear about your loss. But as you pointed out, it was a life well lived, and when it was time for him, he too passed on, without questioning the apparent absurdity or unfairness of it all. In fact, that is what we all should be doing. Being able to live life with raw energy and unbridled passion, but ever ready to let go of everyone and everything, at any point.
Thank you Gayathri! I appreciate your comment.
Sorry to hear about your loss. glad to hear that you are looking at how his life was well lived. Found your blog from SITS-nice to meet you.
Nice to meet you too… Thanks for taking time to comment. yes, it is a big loss but life still moves on. So, that is what we all are trying to do. trying to move on…
This is such a touching post. I am so sorry about your loss. I know what it is like having lost my identical twin sister in 2008 and a brother in 2011. Sometimes we are amazed at the strength we find in such situations. Thanks for becoming a Follower of my Blog. I am happy to follow back.
Judy – Judy H-J’s Thouhgts
I am so very sorry for your loss! I am sure it must have been terrible for you to bear. All we are hoping for at this time is the strength that we will need to go past this. Time is a very good healer,I hope.
What a beautiful and tender tribute. I can tell that your cousin made quite an impact just through the way you share about him. It looks like he truly loved and lived his life with grace and strength. I am so very sorry for your loss and pray for comfort for you and your family.
Thank you. I appreciate you stopping by and following me 🙂
So sorry to hear about your cousin, I know cancer is tough.I pray that all will be comforted with a peace that surpasses all understanding. Thank you for stopping by my blog. Will be seeing you soon!
Thank you for your kind words 🙂 And thanks for following me.
My heartfelt prayers go out to you and your family. My father passed in July from cancer so I know the pain you feel. This was a great post. I can feel your love of him in your words! I am a new follower from the Harvest Blog Hop.
Kim
https://www.myhopewhispers.com/
Thank you for your kind words. Yes, its been hard. More than me, his family is still grieving. I just hope that they find the strength to survive his loss. Sorry to hear about your Dad. May he rest in peace. Thanks for the follow. Following you back 🙂