Quick update on Jack

No word on Jack yet this morning...in this case, no news means no change. Everyone who visits with him is amazed at the peaceful calm that is about him. I know that that is a gift from our dear Lord...an answer to all of our and your prayers.

I remember when Darwin was out with his father during his last days, and I was here waiting anxiously for news. It seemed that every time there was some new deterioration in his condition, the family would say their goodbyes and resign themselves, and then... nothing.

Every time I said a rosary for him, the Hail Mary took on new significance: "Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death." I began to notice all the references to the moment of death in the Liturgy of the Hours as well. No matter what else happens in our lives, the most important moment of all is the moment we leave it, the very last chance we have to turn toward or away from God. Waiting for news of Jack in his last days is a strong reminder that even though we can't choose how or when we die, we can choose something more important -- what happens afterwards.