Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Life and Death

Monday afternoon after work, I needed to stop by my parent's house to pick up something my sister had left there for me. I have to pass my aunt's house (mom's sister) just before getting to my mom's house. When I passed Aunt Katherine's house, I saw a big red truck in front of it. It looked like a large paramedic's vehicle. I knew that my aunt's health has been going down and that hospice had been called in, but I didn't know why paramedics were there. When I got to my parent's house, I asked my mother about the paramedics truck and she didn't know it was there. So she called my aunt's house and found out that she had just died a few minutes earlier. At first, it was sad to realize that she's gone and I'll never see her again. But at the same time, we also knew that Aunt Katherine is no longer bound by this earthly body that was diseased with Parkinsons. She is whole again and in better condition than she ever was here on earth. Just when I saw the big red truck at her house, she was walking into the kingdom of heaven and seeing her Savior and God face to face.

Death is such a strange thing. Sometimes it makes me so sad when people die unexpectedly or tragically, or when children and young people die. But other times, when someone has lived a full life and I know they are going to heaven, it doesn't make me sad. I loved my aunt and I felt a closeness to her; I'll miss her.....but today I am rejoicing because I know that Aunt Katherine is not suffering any longer and she is finally home.

When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory." 1 Corinthians 15:54

7 comments:

Amel said...

Amen, Kathy, that's true. I have the same feeling about death...that sometimes it makes me so sad, but other times it's not so sad. ;-D

I'm glad your aunt's free from pain. ;-D

Sandi said...

We rejoice when someone enters the kingdom for eternity yet we are still sad for our personal lost.
I will be praying for the family as they go through the next week.

Lori said...

Oh Kathy, I am sorry for your lose but rejoice with you.

I'll be praying for your family.

Lori

Missy said...

Kathy - I join with the others. I am sorry for your loss but also understand the peace in knowing your aunt walked straight from this world into the arms of Jesus! We can only imagine - but she sees face to face!

Amel said...

Hi, Kathy!

Go grab your award here:

Community Blogger Award

Sindi said...

Hi Kat,

I too am sorry to hear about your aunt. I do believe as you do. I have a good friend that is dieing and just knowing she will no longer suffer and I will see her again helps me cope with knowing. Sometimes death can be a good thing for those who are suffering. Peace be with you :)

Kathy said...

Thanks to each of you for your kind words about my aunt's death. Remember us tomorrow as we go through the funeral and burial with our final goodbyes. I'm sure that will be the hardest part of the whole process.