My Brother Would've Been 48 Today
Here's a question for all of you who have lost loved ones: Do you keep counting their birthdays or do you think of them as being the age they were when they passed?
Today would've been my brother's 48th birthday. I think of him as being 48-years-old, not as 41-years-old, the age he was when he took his life.
I don't do this kind of adding on years with other relatives. I always remember my grandmother's birthday but I don't calculate her age as being whatever age she'd be now.
It's tempting to think that it's a sign that I haven't quite accepted that he's gone from this world...but I don't think that's true. Although there is such a finality to death for our bodies, I don't believe this is the end for our souls.
Indeed, I've long been fascinated by the idea that our souls are like phoenixes, rising from the mortal ashes of this physical world, only to emerge renewed and reborn in the spiritual world that awaits us. That's what I always hope for him--that his soul is blazing and alive.
Yet in the next world I imagine there is no need for keeping track of our ages or birthdays. No need at all to mark either the day we were born in this plane of existence or the day we cross over. None of the physical traditions we use to mark a birthday: cake, candles, ice cream, presents, singing 'happy birthday'. Still, I wish him a happy birthday, and hope that year 48 is wonderful.
Today would've been my brother's 48th birthday. I think of him as being 48-years-old, not as 41-years-old, the age he was when he took his life.
I don't do this kind of adding on years with other relatives. I always remember my grandmother's birthday but I don't calculate her age as being whatever age she'd be now.
It's tempting to think that it's a sign that I haven't quite accepted that he's gone from this world...but I don't think that's true. Although there is such a finality to death for our bodies, I don't believe this is the end for our souls.
Indeed, I've long been fascinated by the idea that our souls are like phoenixes, rising from the mortal ashes of this physical world, only to emerge renewed and reborn in the spiritual world that awaits us. That's what I always hope for him--that his soul is blazing and alive.
Yet in the next world I imagine there is no need for keeping track of our ages or birthdays. No need at all to mark either the day we were born in this plane of existence or the day we cross over. None of the physical traditions we use to mark a birthday: cake, candles, ice cream, presents, singing 'happy birthday'. Still, I wish him a happy birthday, and hope that year 48 is wonderful.
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Thank you for saying that. It means a great deal.
So sorry to hear about the loss of your brother. Oh my goodness, I can't imagine what it's like to be a twin of someone gone too soon. That must be so very difficult. Thank you so much for sharing and many hugs to your family.