“I am the sum total of everything that went before me, of all I have been seen done, of everything done-to-me. I am everyone everything whose being-in-the-world affected was affected by mine. I am anything that happens after I’m gone which would not have happened if I had not come.” Salman Rushdie

My dad passed into eternity on my son’s birthday. And I got a glimpse again into what awaits us all- the end of all flesh.

He arose that morning – a strong healthy man- and before the dew on the grass had vanished by the sun’s rays, his body was lifeless, his breath had gone and the vibrant, healthy man was a corpse.

What is this life? We work towards something- we know not what. We strive, we work, we want to provide for this life and in the end, life forsakes us without warning, leaving behind the ashes of what once was – a mirage. Plans come to naught. Hopes and dreams are dashed against the rocks of misfortune. Life is but vanity, fleeting and short. We all have an appointment date- a date to be born and a date to die. And both are accompanied by pain- pain to enter the world and pain to exit.

But as I travel forward, I am reminded that I am the sum of all my dad imparted to me, I am the sum of all those who imparted into me. I am richer for the conversations we had. While I am reminded of my loss of future memories, I am also reminded of the grace and beauty of those I do have.

And best of all I am reminded that I will see my dad again- for he is the arms of our Maker. The One who is the Resurrection and the Life. See you soon, dad.