Q.'s Quote of the Day: 09-30-07

Philadelphia, 23 February, 1756

TO MISS HUBBARD:

I condole with you. We have lost a most dear and valuable relation. But it is the will of God and nature that these mortal bodies be laid aside when the soul is to enter into real life. This is rather an embryo state, a preparation for living. A man is not completely born until he is dead. Why, then, should we grieve that a new child is born among the immortals, a new member added to their happy society?

We are spirits. That bodies should be lent while they can afford us pleasure, assist us in acquiring knowledge, or in doing good to our fellow creatures, is a kind and benevolent act of God. When they become unfit for these purposes and afford us pain instead of pleasure, instead of an aid become an encumbrance, and answer none of the intentions for which they were given, it is equally kind and benevolent that a way is provided in which we may get rid of them. Death is that way. We ourselves, in some cases, prudently choose a partial death. A mangled, painful limb, which cannot be restored, we willingly cut off. He who parts with a tooth plucks it out freely, since the pain goes with it; and he who quits the whole body parts at once with all pains and possibilities of pains and diseases which it was liable to or capable of making him suffer.

Our friend and we were invited abroad on a party of pleasure which is to last forever. His chair was ready first and he is gone before us. We could not all conveniently start together and why should you and I be grieved at this, since we are soon to follow and know where to find him?

Adieu,
B. Franklin

This is a letter passed along to me by a friend on Street Prophets from a diary she posted two years ago. Read it here. The letter is profound in its meaning. We are indeed spiritual beings living out a physical life, but we are never to think we are just human, for we are much more than that. We are immortal beings of light, incapable of death. Our bodies are shed like a butterfly's chrysalis at physical death, yet our true selves live on, winged in beauty, to alight again when the immortal cycle calls us back to earth.

My brother's physical body died this morning, but I know he soars with stained-glass wings shining in the Light. I hope all those who feel the pain of his passing can remember the memory of being winged with rainbow pinions, for that remembrance is a great comfort.

Blessed be.

Q.