Posted on 06/08/2002 4:15:32 PM PDT by Siobhan
Dear Friends,
This is a terribly sad day and joyous day. First, we learned of OxfordMovement's son Michael having died. Now I must tell you that my father who was known as the Freeper history-matters has also died today.
At 2 o'clock my family gathered in my father's hospital room for my son Finn to announce that he and Aileen are engaged. They have only known each other a few weeks. Aileen was my father's nurse in ICU. She is young, Irish, and a Gaelic speaker. My father instantly told me she was the one for my son Finn. I introduced the two, they were instantly smitten, and today they made this announcement.
My father gave them his Gaelic blessing and then announced we would all say a Rosary in Gaelic as a thanksgiving and a prayer for Finn and Aileen. When my father announces something, we all jump to it. Indeed, if he said 'jump' to this day we would all say, 'how high, Sir'. Bless him.
We said the Rosary, and at 3 we were still there so we joined him in the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. At the end, he fell asleep and we all quietly left the room and went outside into the atrium to congratulate Finn and Aileen and to make a fuss over them.
At about 3:30 the nurse went in and discovered that my father had died in his sleep. She was very upset and weeping. She had come to care for my Da just as most folk do. We ran back into the room. Da had a smile on his face. There was the overwhelming aroma of roses. Even the nurses commented on it.
It hasn't really sunk in yet with me. He had suffered so much in the last couple of years. And his face was the picture of peace. The Maronite priest was in the hospital, and he came by just intending to call on his old friend my father. He is such a saint of a man. He prayed for Da in Aramaic and Arabic. It was very beautiful and perfect given my father and mother's service to the Church in the Holy Land. Father was a great comfort to my dearest mother.
Everyone of the nurses was wonderful to my mother, and for her part she cried but more because she was happy for my father to see Jesus face to face. She is actually older than my father and not in the best of health either. She is resting just now, and my brother Kevin is handling various arrangments that were made from when Da had his surgery. There was such a likelihood that he wouldn't make it through that surgery that he had prepared everything. We just didn't know that we would need it at this time.
As you all know, I only lately came to FR to fill in for my father who was so worried about the Catholics on FR and the troubles in the Church. I have tried to do some of what he wanted, but I know I haven't been able to do nearly so well as he.
He cherished many of you and kept you in his prayer intentions. He would want me, in the most Irish way possible, to bless all of you on behalf of my family for your kindness to him. And so in the name of good St. Patrick and sweet St. Brigid, I bless you all and your loved ones too, and I thank you for your prayers and your many kindnesses in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit..
"member since November 8th, 2001"
Seven months to the day, and we have lost him. That's not a long time to have known such a man, but it was more than enough to take his measure. Though not as flashy or ubiqitous as some - or perhaps because - he was one of the true giants of this forum: not only an active poster, but one who bore much good fruit; not only passionate, but modest and courteous and charitable; not only learned, but wise. How I wish I could have met him, and I give thanks for his life!
I'll remember him - nay; I'll ask Jesus to remember him - at Eucharistic Adoration tomorrow.
"Roses." Why am I not surprised? And why am I not surprised that even his death is a means for bringing new life into the world? This is how grace works, Siobhan, making life not just bearable or better, but new -- by transforming and redeeming this fallen world. And as Flannery O'Connor said, because grace changes us, it hurts - you know how much - and that is why we resist it so. Though nothing can fill this hole in your hearts, please be comforted in remembering that your father is chosen as a conduit of grace, and must be very near to God.
You are worthy to be your father's successor, and I too hope to see you here often. Blessings to you all, especially to Finn and Aileen.
I'm so sorry about your dear Da. How bittersweet, with Finn's and Aileen's engagement, but what a beautiful, holy death!
Please don't be sad on this Father's Day. He's so happy in Heaven and can be an even greater father there than here, watching over your family and protecting you by prayer -- prayer made even more intimate with God because he now sees God's face. And how much more he knows and understands how much you love him. What a joyful Father's Day for him!
I thought of him today at Mass. Fr. John was wearing a green chasuble with a beautiful gold Celtic cross on it. We were very blessed to have your Da with us on FR as long as we did, and I know we're going to miss him badly. I'll have to play the only DVD I have in his honor from now on -- "The Irish Tenors."
God bless you and your family, and especially Finn and Aileen.
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