Decades after little Colleens death, my sister Kathy still loves her daughter dearly. Colleen was born with cerebral palsy. She died in Kaths arms in a rocking chair at the age of six. They were listening to a music box that looked very much like a smiling pink bunny.The opening quote in this book, I will love you forever, but Ill only miss you for the rest of my life, is from Kaths nightly prayers to her child.Colleen couldnt really talk or walk very well, but loved untying my mothers tennis shoes and then laughing. When Mom died decades later we sent her off in tennis shoes so Colleen would have something to untie in Heaven.In the meantime, Dad had probably been taking really good care of her up there. He must have been aching to hug her for all of her six years on earth.Moms spirit comes back to play with great grandchildren shed never met or had a chance to love while she was still I almost said among the living. In my family, though, the dead dont always stay that way. You can be among the living without technically being alive. Mom comes back to play, but Dad shows up only in emergencies. They are both watching over their loved ones.The Mourning After is dedicated to all those we have had the joy of loving before theyve slipped away to the other side.It then celebrates the joy of re-unions.
About This Quote
About Edward Fahey, The Mourning After
Edward Fahey, The Mourning After.
Themes
- Death — Contemplations on mortality, loss, and the legacy we leave