One Day at a Time
I’m meeting a dying friend and his wife on Saturday, and needed to think about what to say. Ask MetaFilter provides this helpful entry about how to talk to the dying.
My wife and I visited our friend and his wife a few months ago while he was still fairly strong. When we got up to leave, he asked me to help him get out of his chair. He stood up, gave me a big bear hug and said “One day at a time.”
“All mankind is of one author, and is one volume; when one man dies, one chapter is not torn out of the book, but translated into a better language; and every chapter must be so translated…
As therefore the bell that rings to a sermon, calls not upon the preacher only, but upon the congregation to come: so this bell calls us all: but how much more me, who am brought so near the door by this sickness….
No man is an island, entire of itself… any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.” — John Donne
[via Grow a brain]
January 11th, 2008 at 10:24 am
Please pass along my best regards to M & R.
January 12th, 2008 at 7:16 am
My life will not be diminshed by the passing of this wonderful man, because it has been so greatly expanded by his friendship.
A bond was created the moment we meet and it will not be broken over time, separation or sadness. This bond with him has helped me recognize the bond I have with all humankind (and animal kind).
I honor his life, his stories and his wife. “Hey Blue”, Max will keep you safe, Love forever, Sandy & Duke