Knocking at heaven's door

Last week, she suffered what was first thought to be pneumonia, but turned out to be a heart attack. Moved from the home where she's lived for the past five years to the neighbouring hospital, she then waited two days in Emergency while the doctors diagnosed the crisis and tended to her immediate need.

Thus began what turned out to be almost two weeks of vigil for her children and grandchildren, a vigil which came to an end today.

The mystery of life is that none of us knows the moment when our earthly existence will come to an end. One thing is true though: we only live this life once, so any kindnesses that we can do for another should be accomplished with fervent spirits and willing hearts. Evelyn lived this truth every day of her life.

Every day of life she found a reason to give thanks. Every day of life she surrounded herself with the people who were dear to her, and every day of life she gave a bit of herself to someone else in simple gestures of friendship and love. In her waning years, it was our turn to care for her.

Today, as news of her death spread among family and friends, the preparations for rituals which she knew only so well, and which she taught to us all, are now in the works. As is the custom when a family member dies, her children and grandchildren gathered tonight to recite the rosary. In fact, this is the first of a novena (nine days) of rosaries which we will pray for the repose of her soul.

In this simple but profound way, the family is united in prayer, and is reminded of the power of prayer and its ability to help the living and the dead. In this case, we pray for her soul, and trust that she too is now interceding for us.