R.I.P

Sadly Mark, my husband, passed away on 16 August 2014 after a long and hard fight with his disease.  My son and I were blessed that we were able to spend the last five years at home with him.  

A conversation that continues to play on my mind is one that we had the day before he died. Mark said that he had such renewed respect for what, the recently Canonised, St. John Paul II went through in his final years. Even while suffering, as the good Saint did he still managed to show us by his example what love, honour and dedication was all about. St. John Paul II's suffering, Mark continued, was his gift to us all. St. John Paul II, just as Jesus did on the cross, offered his suffering for all of our sins. 

This is something that Mark himself, strived to do on a daily basis. He strived to follow the example set by our Lord and the great men of our faith that went before him. Never did Mark complain about his lot in life, never did he complain about the pain and the discomfort he felt. In hindsight, looking back on conversations we had with him, my son and I believe that he offered up his pain and suffering for the sins of his family, friends and those in need, and that is a gift that we will treasure for the rest of our lives.

We thank God that we had as much time with Mark as we had, although we mourn the loss of a wonderful husband and father, we also celebrate all he has given us and all those who's lives he touched.

We hope and pray that Mark may now find peace in the embrace of our Lord.