Ash Wednesday has always been a somber occasion for me, not just because it marks the beginning of Lent, but because it is a reminder of how fragile life is.
As a Baptist growing up, I don't really recall celebrating Ash Wednesday. Perhaps it was "too Catholic" for us Baptists. As a Presbyterian, I now look forward to our Ash Wednesday services as a reminder of Christ's willing sacrifice for mankind. I missed the service this year due to flu, but I kept it in my heart, nonetheless.
This article reminded me that life is fragile and we must embrace it as it comes to us, not wait around for something better to come along.
My family is facing some difficult decisions dealing with my 80-year-old father. In a nutshell, he needs more care than I can give him, yet my siblings are reluctant to consider assisted living. The balance of needs and desires is a difficult one, and a huge burden.
As I watch my father's fragile life deteriorate, it makes me more anxious to grab the time I can with him. Yet spending more time with him means neglecting other family needs. It's hard to explain the tightrope one walks trying to keep everything going, but I am hopeful that my siblings and I will find a solution for my father's care problems. Pray for us as we deal with this situation.
Sharon, I know how hard this is - please know that I am thinking of you and your family.
ReplyDeleteThe six months or so between when my mother was diagnosed with lung cancer and when she died was one of the most difficult times of my life; it's hard to deal with the deterioration of a parent.
ReplyDeleteMay you find the path that allows you to choose th ebest of the trade-offs available to you.
Thanks so much, guys.
ReplyDeleteAphrael, I know the pain of losing a mom to lung cancer. My mother died 11 years ago of it, just 42 days after diagnosis. It was an absolutely stunning loss and I'm so sorry to hear you've been through that, too.
Watching my father slowly become NOT my father is, in some small ways, harder. My mom was 100% my mom right up until the end and for that I'm very grateful. My dad, on the other hand, is a sweet old guy now (not like the fiery, argumentative man of my youth), but it is painful watching him forget so much of his fascinating life.
Thanks for the kind thoughts! :)