Greetings in the Name of the Risen Lord!

 

I am writing to thank you for all the notes, emails, calls, remembrances, and prayer support you that offered Kaye and me in the last two weeks. These strengthened and consoled us more than you know. For those of you not aware, in early March, Kaye's father began a rapid and dramatic decline in health after months of living with pancreatic cancer. Kaye joined him in his home as his primary caretaker as we explored the next steps.

 

On Palm Sunday, Kaye called to tell me that hospice said the end was very near. I left for Thomasville, we made travel arrangements for family members, and we began to await the inevitable. Unexpectedly, the end was delayed, and for many days he was a state which hospice described as "hours from death", unconscious, neither eating nor drinking. This was a hard time for Kaye and me as we shared nursing and caretaking duties, with all you can imagine that included. We believed each hour that death was imminent. Hospice was a wonderful help, visiting briefly each day. Other longtime friends nurtured us with occasional meals and visits.

 

We were very much lifted by your thoughts and prayers in this time of stress, and we were aware of your great love. Our frequent contact through the Vestry and staff, along with communication with the Bishop and the diocese assured us we were not walking through the valley of the shadow alone.

 

One great source of grief in this time was missing Holy Week and Easter with you. Through daily contact with members of staff, we prepared service orders, lined up participants, and prepared for the Paschal Feast, but as the week wore on it became evident I would need to chose to stay in Thomasville.

 

This was a very difficult choice, but it was made clear and possible by two things. One was my call as a husband. I knew that with a few telephone calls I could find a half dozen priests who could step into my role as St. Thomas celebrant, but only one person could do my part in Thomasville.

 

The second thing that lightened the burden of this choice was the able and talented presence of Mother Lorna. I had great faith in her ability to lead you through the Paschal mysteries of Thursday to Sunday, and as we walked through the services by phone, I knew that with her thoughtful preaching and warm, capable presence all would be well. Many have reported to me how excellently she presided over these days. I am eternally grateful that her presence helped me stay where I needed to be.

 

Though I may have missed Holy Week with you, there was a deep holiness to our week of care and vigil. It was hard, but it was a hard privilege, as any of you know who have cared for a loved one in the final days of life. Thank you for your presence with my family. You were the body of Christ to us in those days, as you often are to one another. May we move through the coming days in Easter gratitude, healing, and joy.

 

Christ's Peace.

 

Doug Hahn