Of course, no one knows that the reason I did not blog in September or in October was because my Dad got sick and died in September. My brother and I were with him: his body would not respond to treatment, and he slowly slipped away peacefully, without any struggle, according to God’s will. But, God was with us.
During my time with him, I had placed a Miraculous Medal on his bedside table to help him in the case he was going to go on a spiritual journey to God – and to keep him safe. He was still an intermittent Episcopalian, and I had no idea about the state of his soul. I figured that it would be an aid, in some way, a draw of divine favor from God if he needed it. Interestingly, I found it about a month earlier laying on the ground. I had no idea what to do with it. I kept it in my pocket looking for an opportunity to give it to someone in need. And this is where the need was fulfilled.
Front and back of the Miraculous Medal; the back shows the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary
Two days before he died (it was the anniversary of his own Dad’s death), in the morning, we saw great signs which gave us hope that he would heal and come back. Treatments were working, he felt better, he ate some, he walked around, and he had lucid conversations with us. He looked deep into my eyes twice and told me how much he loved me – the sincerity was firm – he was filled with Love. It was a true blessing which we will always cherish.
But, on the evening of that day, he began to see the spirits of beloved relatives at the foot of his bed – those who had loved him and had since passed away – a few aunts and a first cousin. He told me when he was seeing them, and I asked him how that made him feel. He said, “Comforting. It gives me comfort, son, a lot of comfort.” A few hours before that, he had expressed an ambiguous feeling of fear – “I’m afraid!” – as if, perhaps, his soul had felt a certain slipping and uneasiness. I reassured him of my presence, and then came heavenly help which made all of the difference. Oh, what a blessing for him, and for us, that God was with us and sent him comforters to ease his anxiety.
Dad was a truly good man, and I love him very much. He was caring and merciful, and as Jesus promised, Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy [Matt 5:7].
My brother, a nondenominational Christian, asked me what should be done with the Miraculous Medal. I told him to keep it, for it had been in the presence of the holy event of Dad’s passing away to God. Brother kept it.
Requiescat in pace, Dad. 🙂
Theo-Logis 