The Meaning of Death

This morning, in the wee hours, just after 3am I recieved a phone call from one of my neices. As you would expect, getting a call at 3am--when one isn't on Call--usually means someone close to you, either a friend or a relative, has died. This was no exception. My only brother passed on sometime between midnight and 3 in his sleep. As of now, all I know is that he passed in his sleep, not the cause of it.

When the phone rang, I thought it would be my step-mother telling me my nearly-90 year old Dad had died, but that's not who was there on the phone. I was shocked. My brother? He's only 59! What kind of joke is this? He wasn't sick--at least not deathly sick. Unfortunately, it's no joke. He's gone. Passed on. Kicked the bucket. Bought the farm...whatever.

I'm in shock now. I've cried some tears out of deep sadness...for Linda his wife...for his kids...for my Dad...for me. But not for HIM. He needs no tears. He is on the next Journey that we all face eventually, and in my beliefs, that is a joyous time, not a time of judgement and fear. I truely believe--scratch that, I know--he is in the company of my Mother and in the presence of God/dess.

So...what does this mean to me? What is this thing called death? Is it an end...or a beginning? Is it a transition that is part of a sacred cycle, or the end of existence? Why does it matter? All questions that have no answer except in faith of one kind or another. No one's come back to explain what happens when we 'go toward the light' and cut that cord tying us to our physical body. What really happens?

As a Pagan, I do not believe in a one-lap-around-the-track kind of life. I firmly believe--I dare say know...in my heart--that we come back, reincarnate, many times. That death is only a transition, not an ending. I feel deeply that God/dess calls us into Her presence to gently critique our life, our deeds, helping us judge for ourselves if we passed that 'grade', those 'lessons' we chose to undertake. I feel deeply that there is only love and compassion--no punishment--at that 'debriefing' session. No lake of fire, only a place in Her presence to recouperate and plan things for the next life.

So...why should I mourn for my brother? There is no reason. I rejoice with him in his transition! The mourning is for me, for his widow, his children, for all those left on this plane of existence without him in it. We are the ones who suffer, not the one passing.

Bless those left in tears, may they find comfort.

Bless those who mourn, may they know peace.

God/dess grant that our passing is as peaceful as his has been.

So mote it be.

Q.