Graceful Dying

Cheryl Dickow has shared a beautiful story on Catholic Exchange today about dying gracefully, in a way that the secular world would probably reject: Graceful Dying: The Gift of Allowing Others to Care for You. Death doesn't necessarily scare me. I know it is part of life and necessary to gain entrance to whatever lies beyond. Yet, I do fear all that may come before. I am a very self-reliant, private person. The idea that I may face long-term incapacitation before God finally calls me home is very scary. I don't think anyone wants to have to face the reality that others might need to care for them.

I try not to worry about it. After all, it is one of those things that I can't do anything about. I hope if the day comes, I can realize that I am still fulfilling God's purpose for me, that perhaps I am there to help someone else on their spiritual journey, while my own suffering helps me with my own.