My father passed quietly and hopefully without pain on March 8, 2008. For myself, I draw strength in thinking he is free now. He's free of the pain, the worry, the fear, the doubts, He's free of the ravage of cancer and old age. He's renewed, the bonds and burdens of life are lifted. The universe is his to explore, everything to to see and do...it's all his now. He's free...but the price, the trade off is: I never get to see him again. It's a high price, but one I have no choice but to accept.

Now I am taking care of the necessary but confusing and sometimes painful process of the details involved after passing. Funeral directors and lawyers, relatives and friends. The past week has been a blur. But soon all the details will be done. I will return home in a few more days and have my time to recover and grieve.