Jain Spirit 2002 06 No 11

Author(s): Jain Spirit UK
Publisher: UK Young Jains

Page 31

Acceptance Is The Key
Death Is Nothing At Al
Henry Scott Holland
Death is nothing at all. It does not count. I have
only slipped away into the next room. Nothing has
happened. Everything remains exactly as it was. I am I,
and you are you, and the old life that we lived so fondly
together is untouched, unchanged.
Whatever we were to each other, that we are still.
Call me by the old familiar name. Speak of me in the easy way which you always used. Put no difference into your
tone.
us hope because we knew all would be well in the end.
Mum celebrated 60 years, the Millennium came and we both found life partners. Dad spent time with us all and kept us focused and positive. He set standards and examples that we followed. His determination not to give up and Mum's will to survive created such a strong force that they were indestructible. Everything was achieved, regrets were forgotten and when it happened, we were ready. We decided not to ask why it had to happen to Mum at such a young age but to focus on the positive aspects of our lives together, to remember how rich our memories were and to acknowledge the good she had brought to the world. We concluded that we were willing to tolerate no more suffering. God had the answers and He also made it possible for the soul to live beyond the limited time a body was given. Mum's soul was liberated and her body was returned to the earth. She was free again. One day, we will all be free and our souls will be together again. Death is nothing at all.
Mum was a celebration of life. Her life was rich in experiences and full of positivity. Her smile will never be forgotten. Mum's support for everyone and everything was genuine and whole-hearted. Charitable, artistic, and a great socialiser, Mum was a tireless support to all who knew her. She was a complete inspiration. For over 40 years her partnership with Dad was a great lesson in togetherness, sharing and true love. Their bond will never be broken. Dad will always be comforted by the thought that Mum left in peace and maximised her time to the last minute. Her strength and bravery never tired. Her spirit never gave up. For many of us, her 60th birthday celebration was a true indication of her courage and strength of mind. She never lost her battle - she chose to go to a new place, peacefully. She taught us the importance of value and the benefit of being surrounded by wonderful people. We are all very fortunate to have each other and the knowledge that we are never alone. Mum will never be alone. She is as close to us today, as she has always been. Today her spirit is free.
The experience taught us some of the everlasting values of life - unity, positive thinking, fearlessness, selflessness and contentment. We needed to show her that we were in this together but not suffering for her. We offered her support and showed her our ability to be ourselves so she could benefit from seeing her closest family as they really are. This meant a lot to us. It would be selfish to wish Mum had lived longer when clearly her time had come to move on. She was suffering from a terrible disease that she did not deserve to have to experience it any further. Her new place is better and more fulfilling. We are satisfied that she's in peace and she's happy to know we're all free of something that we could never control.
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.
Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes that
we enjoyed together. Play, smile, think of me, pray for
me. Let my name be ever the household word that it
always was. Let it be spoken without an effort, without the ghost of a shadow upon it.
Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same that
it ever was. There is absolute and unbroken continuity.
What is this death
but a negligible accident?
Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?
I am but waiting for you, for an interval,
somewhere very near, just around the corner.
Usha Shah passed away on 30 June 2000. Raju, Rohin and Raoul will be with her again, one day.
All is well.
June - August 2002. Jain Spirit
29