Mark
ADDENDUM: Rebecca has informed us that Mark died at 6:00 AM this morning. My heart weeps. Mark’s courage has been an inspiration to me—and I believe also to many others. Knowing that today would come does not make his death any easier. I thank God for Mark, that for him all sickness and pain are ended, that death itself is past, and that he has entered the eternal home where all souls gather in peace.
The Too Bad It’s Monday Jokes and Humor post took up yesterday’s space in Nick’s Bytes. But within hours of it’s 12:01 AM publication, I added something that I consider more important. I read Rebecca’s post and placed this message at the top of the blog:
Special Prayer Request:
Mark, who authors the blog Cancer Is Killing Me - I Will Never Give Up! is in hospice. Rebecca wrote today’s (Monday) blog post and ends with the words Please kick the prayers into high gear. I am putting this in God's hands.
Remembering John Lennon
October 9th, 1940 – December 8th, 1980
Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans. ~ John Lennon
Working Class Hero ~ John Lennon
Our society is run by insane people for insane objectives. I think we're being run by maniacs for maniacal ends and I think I'm liable to be put away as insane for expressing that. That's what's insane about it. ~ John Lennon
I was reminded by Thomas at Living Next Door to Alice that yesterday marked the anniversary of the murder of John Lennon: on December 8th, 1980, John was shot four times by Mark David Chapman in the entrance hallway of the building where he lived as returned home with his wife, Yoko Ono. Had I realized the significance of yesterday, I would have postponed the Too Bad It’s Monday Jokes and Humor post until today and dedicated December 8th to John Lennon.
I miss John Lennon and lament his young death.
Happy Xmas (The War Is Over) ~ John Lennon
Christmas Is Behind Schedule
Meanwhile, Alex…
is being Alex:
My thoughts are with Mark too.
ReplyDeleteI like your tree, but I have to ask... how does it cope with Alex? I can't have a tree cuz my kitties take great pleasure in climbing it.
Phishez : Thank you.
ReplyDeleteAlex has ignored the tree the past three years since he jumped up and hooked his claws in the table cloth beneath it and pulled the cloth and tree off the table. I suppose that frightened the furball so much that he still remembers it.
Season’s blessings to you, Phishez.
My thoughts and prayers to Mark.
ReplyDeleteI read about John Lennon yesterday. Wonder what his take would be on the politics and wars today.
Love that video. Alex just wanted some loving. :-)
What I admired about John Lennon was his tenacity; he never gave up. If one thing didn't work, he went on to the next thing.
ReplyDeleteThat's a really nice tree you've put up. If you're hard up for a topic some December day, you could probably do a post or two just on the ornaments.
Squirl: I’ve had Mark in my thoughts for some days now. His blog indicated that he was reaching the point of hospice for a week or so. I have great respect for Mark and Rebecca.
ReplyDeleteI thought about how John Lennon would respond to what’s happened on earth since his death. I suspect he might have amplified the second quote I placed in the post: Our society is run by insane people for insane objectives.
Yes, Alex generally wants some lovin’—even when he thinks that he wants something else. He seemed hyper last night to the point that I was a bit worried about him until I realized that he has located something that was behind the sword table in the hallway that he evidently chased into the living room. Silly cat.
Season’s blessings to you, Squirl.
Thomas: I agree with you 100% about John Lennon. He certainly won my respect with his tenacity as well as his musical talents.
Thank you. The tree is getting old and it’s no yet completely decorated. I’ll follow your suggestion and write about some of the ornaments. I have about a dozen Santa Claus one that, for an obvious reason, have been given to me through the years.
Season’s blessings to you, Thomas.
lots of things for alex to play with ... haha.
ReplyDeleteWell you're further on with your decorations than me Nick, I haven't even started yet!
ReplyDeleteI remember waking up to the news of John Lennon's death - I cried. I was 14 when the Beatles hit the headlines so I was brought up with their music. Such a great loss to the world of music.
Thanks for notifying us of Mark's death. I have been out of town and have found it hard to follow blogs for a few days.
ReplyDeleteI could almost feel how good the head and neck rub must feel to Alex. Yeah... a little to the right. Oh, yeah... right there. Aaaahhhh...
Nice decoratin' there, Nick. I hope the different decorations bring you fond memories.
Maxxo: True. Alex is never without toys!
ReplyDeleteSeason’s blessings to you, Maxxo!
Akelamalu: Maybe. There are still decorations—Advent wreath, crèche, big Santa Claus—that we can’t find.
I was 20 years older than you when John Lennon died. I think that in the preceding ten years or so I had become to know him as more than a Beatle. I felt a great emptiness at his murder—such a terrible loss for this world.
Season’s blessings to you, Akelamalu!
Carol: Although we knew that Mark’s cancer was terminal and that the end of his life was near, when I saw Rebecca’s post I felt something go out of me. Mark was a spark of light for the few months I read his blog. I really wish I had known him before the cancer came.
Yep, Alex tells me where to rub by moving his head. I think I could be a robot and he’s still get massaged where and how he wants. My dog, Muffin, used to do the same thing. Alex, however, has never presented me with his rear end to massage!
Season’s blessings to you, Carol!
Absolutely broken hearted tonight. Can we stand in agreement together that God will meet Rebecca's needs right now and give her peace over Mark's death?
ReplyDeleteThey have blessed me so much with their courage through this ordeal. And Nick, I am going to miss Mark very much.
Be blessed.
Jennifer: Yes. Me, too.
ReplyDeleteSeason’s blessings to you, Jennifer!
I did not know of Mark except what you have written. I can understand how he will be missed. It is so sorrowful for one to die at Christmas time.
ReplyDeletePastor Nick, I do think you should tell the stories of your Christmas ornaments. Maybe like you used to do in children's sermons.
I never heard that song in you mind, Santa Baby, until now. I think it is really good. It has given me a big smile.
Merry Christmas, Pastor Nick, to you and Mr. Alex.
Sorry to hear about Mark. That is too deaths I have heard of in as many days on the blog (the other being the husband of Cowgirl in New Zealand).
ReplyDeleteHugs and thoughts sent your way and to Rebecca.
Joshua: Yes, it can add to one’s grief when a loved one dies near a holiday. I once officiated a funeral on Christmas Eve. It was hard on everyone, especially since the deceased died unexpectedly.
ReplyDeleteI may write about the ornaments as I did with those children's sermonettes—if I can remember the sermonettes! Thank you for the idea.
I had not heard Santa Baby for many years! I didn’t know I had it on CD until I found it yesterday. I’m glad that I did; it is a fun song and Eartha Kitt is a breathtaking singer.
Season’s blessings to you and your family, Josh!
CrazyCath : Two deaths near Christmas? I’m sure there are more, but I feel compassion for the families.
Season’s blessings to you, Cath!
the eternal place where souls gather in peace. how lovely it sounds, but still sad for rebecca. my heart goes out to her.
ReplyDeleteMy deepest sympathies to Rebecca. Even knowing the time will eventually come doesn't make it any less heartbreaking.
ReplyDeleteDear Nick ~~ So sad that Mark lost his battle, and I hope Rebecca will be OK, And also yourself. Always sad when dear ones die. Your Christmas tree etc look really nice.
ReplyDeleteI miss John Lennon too, and my favorite Christmas song is "So This is Christmas," anw War is Over is great too. He was a very talented man. I wish you a very happy and peaceful Christmas, Nick and many blessings in the New Year. Thank you for your comment about Smiling, but I guess you are not smiling. Very Best Wishes,Merle
Prayers for your friend & family, St. Nick - it is especially difficult at this time of year. We've had a death in the family this past weekend - my brother-in-law's girlfriend thought she had arthritis, & wouldn't go to the doctor because she was uninsured. It turned out to be cancer, & she passed away Saturday night while being cared for by Hospice - leaving behind her three grown children, & their young daughter. Please pray for them too, St. Nick...
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post, Nick.
ReplyDeleteI so miss John Lennon, too.
*sigh*
This is a fine post, Sir Nick. I, too, miss Sir John.
ReplyDeleteWe really like your tribute to John Lennon and the pictures of your house. Thank you.
ReplyDeletegreat john lennon tribute
ReplyDeleteI remember this post! Love the John Lennon part and the Alex video. Thanks for sharing it again.
ReplyDeleteI concur with Abby, Rev Saint. Thank you for this one. I had not read it.
ReplyDelete