During the last 8 weeks, I have been honored to witness how peace prevails in the midst of illness. There are so many spaces that my parents could have lacked peace. Yet from the day of my Dad’s seizure to his unexpected death, through the diagnosis of cancer and in difficult conversations about if to seek treatment, the presence of peace was undeniable.
I remember my Dad clearly telling a Doctor who came into his room before his biopsy was even done that he doesn’t like to discuss all the “what if” conversations. He wanted to wait until the biopsy came back and then consider what we know to be true. He had a way of setting the tone and ensuring that my Mom and Dad did not clutter their minds and hearts with unneeded thoughts.
As my parents processed that my Dad had a life-ending diagnosis, it was clear to so many that peace prevailed. In their conversations, their communications, their presence, and their hearts their words carried peace.
Here are a few snippets from a variety of communications:
one of the things that has surprised me some is the calmness with which (so far at least) we have been able to accept the reality of what is.
We find ourselves in new space and are discovering that there are unexpected blessings also in these moments.
My prognosis will have to await further information, but we wanted you all to know that we are doing well, are grateful for each day, and rest in the assurance that all of our days are in God’s hands. Blessed be the Name of the Lord.
I share this and record this, so we can always remember that my Dad did not fear the end of his life. He was committed to living one day at a time and trusting God to care for him, my Mom and each of us!
I am so grateful for how I have been reminded that to live in peace does not mean that life is without trouble. There are questions, and there is sorrow, there is uncertainty, and there is the hardship, but none of that can erode peace if our faith is strong.
My parents lived with great courage and profound peace in living and in dying.
Thank you for sharing these thoughts, Trish – what a father you had – and what a family you have!!
Trish, I had kept all those sayings, because your Dad used them in emails to us. But now you have put them all together. I will print this post and keep it close by. Good night, my dear.
Aunt Margaret
On Tue, May 29, 2018 at 9:11 PM, Journey to my heart…. wrote:
> trishborgdorff posted: “During the last 8 weeks, I have been honored to > witness how peace prevails in the midst of illness. There are so many > spaces that my parents could have lacked peace. Yet from the day of my > Dad’s seizure to his unexpected death, through the diagnosis of c” >
Philippians 4:7
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Thanks be to God.