“Writing a ‘last letter’”

A Marine combat veteran a proud, quiet and stoic man was admitted to the hospital with cancer, he had never been much of a talker in his 50-plus years of marriage.  He was forthcoming with his doctor, especially when it became clear that he didn’t long to live.  He spoke of his deep regret for not having spent enough time with his wife, whom he loved very much, and of his great pride in his son, who had joined the Marines.

The doctor mentioned this in passing to his wife and son.  They were incredulous and didn't believe him.  The doctor did not want this moment to be missed.  So, the next morning, he asked his patient if he could record an open letter from him to his family.  He agreed!

When the doctor gave the recording to his wife and son, they were moved to tears. The experience inspired the Stanford Friends and Family Letter Project; it has developed a template for writing "last letters" around 7 items: acknowledging important people in our lives; remembering treasured moments; apologizing to those we may have hurt; forgiving those who have hurt us; and saying "Thank you," "I love you," and "Goodbye." (Connections, 11-13-16)

Today or sometime soon take the time to write such a letter and share it, remembering that we are in the “land of the dying”, preparing for “the land of the living.”  William Butler Yeats said, “Being Irish, he had an abiding sense of tragedy, which sustained him through temporary periods of joy.”  When our joy is in the Lord, it isn’t temporary, it is a glimpse of the eternal.

Dear Lord, You commissioned us to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world, let your light shine on us, for You alone are the holy one.

May God Be Praised!

Join me and cry out from the depths of your heart to the Lord who hears us.  “Lord, listen to my prayer: turn your ear to my appeal.” [Psalm 143]

God, You are our refuge and our hope, we turn to you during this COVID 19 pandemic and plead for Your intercession.  In Your mercy and Your compassion “… grant eternal rest to the dead, comfort to mourners, healing to the sick ….” [Collect from Mass Time in Pandemic]

Provide strength to the first responders and medical personnel, and wisdom to government leaders.  End this coronavirus scourge.  Bring Your light to all who wander in the darkness of this pandemic and give each of us hope in Your eternal love today and every day.  Amen.  [Dcn. George Kelly]