This was written after the passing of my father. I held his hand as he breathed his last. I was working outside the home that day and came home unaware of his condition, which was drastically different from the day before.

A Secret Kept
Hospice advised us to dress him in red shirts and to cover his bed with red sheets because his cancer reached the point where he was bleeding. This made it a little easier for everyone to handle.

A Heart’s Retreat
Anyone caring for a dying loved one knows it can be difficult.

Break the Flesh
This has a double meaning. His wounds were breaking out and bleeding. But suffering changes a person. It can break you in one way or another. My father became more docile and gentle; more kind and grateful because of his illness.

Hide the Dole
I wonder what he went through. He hid much of it and endured his illness like a man. I’m proud of him for that.

Before the Parting Stole
He was annointed by a Priest before his death. He didn’t know much about religion. He was pessimistic. The stole is another piece of fabric with great meaning and significance.

A Cassock O’er a Broken Soul
His soul was broken. He lived a rough life and never really understood that he was loved. Now his body was broken also. Dying. Red shirts and sheets, like the Cardinal’s red cassock’s promise, covered my father. That gives me hope.

Furtive Threads are Mending
The inner workings of suffering on a soul are secret, personal and intimate. They can be a great benefit to a soul in the right disposition.

A Tapestry of Griefs Portending
The tapestry of a life not well lived. This Grief of many griefs gathered, can be foreboding.

Before the Judge’s Rending of All the Mind’s Pretending
Whatever fantasies we create in our mind about death and what our lives mean…whatever ways we justify our sins… they will not stand before the Truth.

At Thy Soul’s Ascending
When we meet Him.

Draw All Thy Being Nigh
Gather yourself. Take stock of your life. Become humble. Only love matters here.

And Bequeath the Sigh to the Most High
Give your last breath to God as a gift.

Threads Unwound Are No Longer Bound
Your life’s tapestry; all that in your soul you built, is being unwound. The soul unsheathed. No longer bound by the body, now you will see clearly.

Go. Meet Him Whom Thou Hast Crowned
Gather yourself. But know His mercy. He was crowned in mercy.
My father waited for me to come home and see him before he died.
I’ve though about it a lot. How does one delay death?
I delayed going to his room that day. I took a bath after a long day of sweaty work. When I went to his room, he was different. He was more stiff and pale. His breathing was the ‘Death Rattle’. He was hanging on until I came to him.
I know this because I held his hand and spoke to him. I know he heard me because I said, “Dad, I’m sorry for everything I did to hurt you, and I forgive you for everything. Don’t worry about any of that. You can go now. It’s ok. Tell Jesus you love Him. Tell Him you love Him very much. I’ll tell everyone you love them”… and within seconds he turned his head up, raised himself very slightly, took his last deep breath, followed by just a few soft movements of his chest. Then he was gone. I have since had little signs that lead me to believe God has him. I pray for his soul daily.