Mortality

In the past two months I have been faced the passing of two of my relatives, first my father and then his sister, Nancy. I won't deny that these occasions have made a profound emotional impact upon me.

My immediate observations are yet raw and unprocessed.

One observation was that there appears to be a lot of grace directed at the deceased. Though they may have done some very profound malefaction in their lives, those surrounding them at the end have been willing to forgive them their sins. It's like granting them the final absolution as they pass into eternity. Peace is created by those who survive.

My second observation is that the passing of a loved one can bring about either the absolute best or worst in those who remain. My sister and her dastardly offspring have gone from treating me discourteously for the past three years to pretending that I do not exist in the time subsequent to my father's passing. In their perception I am the ultimate persona non grata.

For Aunt Nancy's upcoming funeral on Saturday I will be singing Schubert's Ave Maria. I haven't sung in ages, so I will need to practice a lot. Friday morning's task is to vocalize and go over the music.