My blog last month, I spoke of dementia and specifically Alzheimer's and how these diseases can affect family and caregivers.

Today, March 8, I learned that my brother-in-law passed away as a result of a seizure. He was younger than I thought; he would have been 57 in June. It is truly a shock for the family: his wife, 4 children and their spouses and children, and his siblings and parents. At the same time, it is something of a relief to know that the suffering is over, and that, as my sister termed it, "He is once again truly himself" and in a better place.

I'm not sure yet what my feelings are around this. I'm glad that the uncertainty and suffering that the family has had to endure these past years is over. This has been for those close to him physically truly a time of Lent, of Prayer, Fasting, and Sharing (Almsgiving). He now knows the Resurrection, and each of us left behind need to continue walking the path toward Easter.

When I mentioned to my sister that it was finally over, she immediately said that in reality this is just a beginning. So true, -- life will continue, but this is the beginning of a new phase, a phase of continued growth and vitality. I know that faith and the spirituality lived by this family will carry them, and us, through the difficult days to come until the funeral.

So, these are my thoughts for today. Somewhat disjointed, and just the beginning of living through this first death among my siblings...