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Category Archives: Death
Not-At-Homeness
In his book “On the Road With St. Augustine,” James K.A. Smith writes about the not-at-homeness (a translation of Heidegger’s term Unheimlich) that is a familiar part of the human condition. It’s a “sense of frustration, futility, of never arriving, … Continue reading
When Parents Die, Who Do They Become?
Ed (not his real name), who lives with me at Barnabas House, just lost his father. His mother died a few years ago. His dad was 92 years old and under hospice care. Ed’s relationship with his dad was very … Continue reading
Entering Into Grief
I’m writing this the day after my mom’s memorial service. There had been visitation that morning and the night before, and we the family were consoled and encouraged by scores of those who came in from the concentric circles of … Continue reading
Posted in Death, Relationships
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“To the Lighthouse” and Grief
I’m fortunate that, early in my 8th decade of life, I’ve had few people close to me die. The most significant loss has been of my father. Besides that, it’s mainly been aunts and uncles, acquaintances, and distant friends. Should … Continue reading
Thinking About Cancer: Metaphors
I’ve been blogging recently about cancer. This topic has been on my mind since I am about to have my cancerous prostate removed. One thing I have been reflecting on is culture’s dominant metaphor for dealing with life-threatening illness. I’m … Continue reading
Death Then and Now: Providential, Suicidal, or Just Regrettable?
A few months ago I read Thomas R. Cole’s book The Journey of Life. I was especially interested to learn about attitudes toward older people throughout U.S. history; here are a few thoughts about the topic. In reading Cole, I noticed that attitudes toward the … Continue reading
Dealing With Bereavement: Irrational Thoughts and Hope
In Joan Didion’s memoir of grief, The Year of Magical Thinking, she reports that her thoughts were often irrational. Her husband John Gregory Dunne died on December 30, but, according to her, “It was deep into the summer… before I … Continue reading
Beyond Halfway 