No Friday Notes: Sitting Vigil

My grandmother is preparing for her final journey

Hello my friends. I do not have a usual Friday Notes for you today. Since Wednesday, I have been sitting vigil with my grandmother Claire, who is preparing for her final journey back to Jesus.

My Nanny Claire in 2019, when she was ‘only’ 94.

Nanny is 98 years old; she and my grandfather, who died in 2008, had 10 children (8 are still alive), 20 grandchildren, and 26 great-grandchildren! The latest addition to the family was born one week ago. Birth and death are always so close to one another.

Nanny is rarely, if ever alone in her room at her residence. It has been exquisitely beautiful to be with her, my mother and my aunts, uncles, and cousins. My husband and children felt blessed to see her last night, and for her to be able to speak with each one. There have been many moments of humour, even today. And always, so much love. So. Much. Love.

My grandmother is and has been a life-long Catholic; her rosary is a mainstay in her hand. I inherited my faith from her. At Christmas she said to me, “I always wanted a priest in the family. I didn’t know it would be my granddaughter, and that is ok!” My Nanny bought me my first clergy shirt when I was ordained.

My mother and my grandmother with my husband and me on the day of my ordination, 2018. To serve her communion was a blessed moment.

If you feel so led and want to light a candle, please do. I am here, sitting vigil, waiting in the liminal space and time between life and death.

We are never alone. We live in God’s world. Thanks be to God.

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