Reflections on the death of a daughter.

I have written several articles on the subject of death, how cultures interact with this inevitable event, how the deceased cross over between the world of the living to the world of the dead. Its funny how the academic study of death is so much different than the reality.

Tomorrow will be the three month anniversary of the death of my daughter Brenna. She fought courageously and without complaint for 15 months against the all powerful cancer that stopped her in her young life from realizing those dreams she held. She was the joy of my life and I still expect her to walk in the front door at any time as she used to do.

I am thankful that she and I were able to talk the night before she died and I was able to tell her how proud I was of her, that she had developed into a wonderful person and that I loved her so much. We spoke of the Otherworld and she was comfortable with what was to come. I told her I would expect her to greet me when it was my turn so that she could show me around. Her only request was that I take care of her puppy.

She taught me how to face death with courage, dignity and strength. I would have given anything to change places with her. I will always miss her but I never feel that she is that far away at any given time. Her face and smile are always present and will be with me until I take that final stroll as well.

Be happy Brenna and I hope to see you in a hopefully not too distant time. You are one of a kind. A huge void is in my heart that will never be filled.