I reread your post and thought it worthwhile to tell you that your writing is beautiful. There's something poetic about the pprose a sort of rythym to it. I am so sorry about your illness. It's very difficult to be in this situation by which I mean so close to death. I experienced this with my husband's death. There was no more pretense just truth. While excruciating it was liberating in that way. Thank you for sharing your writing gift. For your clear eyed observations and for the beauty of your words. I appreciate them.
Sending love and peace to you Bill. We’ve never met, but your intimate sharing of your thoughts and feelings have touched me so deeply. I had a near death experience 20 years ago and I don’t fear death. I am not a particularl practicing Christian, but when I almost went to the other side, I knew at that moment it would be indescribably beautiful journey. Your light will always shine.
Thank you for writing and sharing your experiences. It feels like a privilege to observe and learn about your journey through your terrible illness. I find it so useful which is what I most wanted to convey. Your life and your work have ongoing meaning and utility. Your hope and trust are encouraging and I share in them. I hope you keep going, recognizing that it's not totally up to you. I conclude yet again by thanking you and rpeating how much I appreciate your writing and the insight it conveys.
You probably will see God, if research into near-death experiences is any indication. You might enjoy reading a collection of these accounts. They all have elements in common that align with your vision and your wishes. And they occur to people regardless of their beliefs. It seems that the end of life is not the end of hope - whether you're religious or not. Science is taking notice.
Something I appreciate about your writing, Bill, is that it points out something that I would have denied about myself until I starting reading your posts. If asked a few months ago if I marginalized the very sick and dying, I would point to my meaningful times with loved ones in hospice and consider myself more sensitive than average in that area. (I wouldn’t state it quite that way, pride being what it is.) But reading your posts makes me realize that I sometimes see people who are in a physically helpless state as somewhat diminished spiritually and emotionally. Not many people in your position are able to articulate their thoughts as well as you, and it is humbling. Thank you very much for making the effort to think and communicate deep things so clearly. You give us much to ponder and pray about as we pray for you and your loved ones.
You are on to something important, Terri. I see this everywhere. I can’t speak, which leads some to think I can’t hear or that I am cognitively impaired. They speak slowly and LOUDLY into my ear.
Bill, thank you for the beautiful pictures and meditations you have provided.
An excerpt from a sermon by John Donne, on death:
And his soul shall go forth, not as one that gave over his house, but as one that travelled to see and learn better architecture. […] They shall awake as Jacob did, and say as Jacob said, Surely the Lord is in this place, and this is no other but the house of God, and the gate of heaven, and into that gate they shall enter, and in that house they shall dwell, where there shall be no cloud nor sun, no darkness nor dazzling, but one equal light, no noise nor silence, but one equal music, no fears nor hopes, but one equal possession, no foes nor friends, but an equal communion and identity, no ends nor beginnings, but one equal eternity.
Your secular light will not go out Bill. I intend to carry it with me for a long, long time.
I hadn’t thought of that, Paul. Thank you.
You are in my prayers. May God bless you and embrace you always.
I reread your post and thought it worthwhile to tell you that your writing is beautiful. There's something poetic about the pprose a sort of rythym to it. I am so sorry about your illness. It's very difficult to be in this situation by which I mean so close to death. I experienced this with my husband's death. There was no more pretense just truth. While excruciating it was liberating in that way. Thank you for sharing your writing gift. For your clear eyed observations and for the beauty of your words. I appreciate them.
“There was no more pretense, just truth.”
What a powerful sentence, Marianne. I will be thinking about this for days.
Sending love and peace to you Bill. We’ve never met, but your intimate sharing of your thoughts and feelings have touched me so deeply. I had a near death experience 20 years ago and I don’t fear death. I am not a particularl practicing Christian, but when I almost went to the other side, I knew at that moment it would be indescribably beautiful journey. Your light will always shine.
Thank you for writing and sharing your experiences. It feels like a privilege to observe and learn about your journey through your terrible illness. I find it so useful which is what I most wanted to convey. Your life and your work have ongoing meaning and utility. Your hope and trust are encouraging and I share in them. I hope you keep going, recognizing that it's not totally up to you. I conclude yet again by thanking you and rpeating how much I appreciate your writing and the insight it conveys.
Bill,
You probably will see God, if research into near-death experiences is any indication. You might enjoy reading a collection of these accounts. They all have elements in common that align with your vision and your wishes. And they occur to people regardless of their beliefs. It seems that the end of life is not the end of hope - whether you're religious or not. Science is taking notice.
Something I appreciate about your writing, Bill, is that it points out something that I would have denied about myself until I starting reading your posts. If asked a few months ago if I marginalized the very sick and dying, I would point to my meaningful times with loved ones in hospice and consider myself more sensitive than average in that area. (I wouldn’t state it quite that way, pride being what it is.) But reading your posts makes me realize that I sometimes see people who are in a physically helpless state as somewhat diminished spiritually and emotionally. Not many people in your position are able to articulate their thoughts as well as you, and it is humbling. Thank you very much for making the effort to think and communicate deep things so clearly. You give us much to ponder and pray about as we pray for you and your loved ones.
You are on to something important, Terri. I see this everywhere. I can’t speak, which leads some to think I can’t hear or that I am cognitively impaired. They speak slowly and LOUDLY into my ear.
The gift of acceptance provides peace in the midst of uncertainty.
We also see in dreams, perhaps from divine viewpoints.
Thank you again for sharing your inspiration.
Bill, thank you for the beautiful pictures and meditations you have provided.
An excerpt from a sermon by John Donne, on death:
And his soul shall go forth, not as one that gave over his house, but as one that travelled to see and learn better architecture. […] They shall awake as Jacob did, and say as Jacob said, Surely the Lord is in this place, and this is no other but the house of God, and the gate of heaven, and into that gate they shall enter, and in that house they shall dwell, where there shall be no cloud nor sun, no darkness nor dazzling, but one equal light, no noise nor silence, but one equal music, no fears nor hopes, but one equal possession, no foes nor friends, but an equal communion and identity, no ends nor beginnings, but one equal eternity.