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Dad and I, each stubborn to the core, resolute in our beliefs, and , until very recently, I think, firmly convinced that in order to love the other, we must convince the other of our "rightness". During his last eleven days here, we were given the precious gift of time. Time to laugh. Time to cry. Time to share memories of special moments between us. Time to talk in the wee wee hours of the morning. Time to focus on loving one another - just as we are - stubbornness, opposing beliefs and all. Time to share the love that bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. This was truly the best Christmas gift Dad could have given me. Thank you, Dad.
from Michelle Paolillo
I want to give a small glimpse into what Jack’s last 11 days were like with us, because I think our interactions over those days are so clearly summed up in this scripture verse from 1 Corinthians 13:1-10. Jack’s heart was open, loving and giving, despite the frailty of his frame. He was good humored about the many indignities of intimate care we gave that he used to do himself, and accepted them as loving service, and as new ways to be close to his family. Even in the midst of his suffering, he was able to fully savor the simplest of loving gestures: holding hands, a shave and a bed bath, a hug, and of course, the words “I love you”. I never heard him worry about what would happen to him, but instead, about what would happen to those of us left here. For Jack, in his final days, there was no creed other than love, given freely and unselfishly.
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