After the Death – Part I: The Currency of MessagesBy Michael E. ReidMy Father died today. My brother, Howard called me inMonterey to tell me. I knew immediately that somethingwas wrong. He never calls me. In fact, we hadn't spokenfor some time – months. He didn't even reply to theinvitation to come to my ordination. Although I shouldn’thave been surprised by his silence, I actually was.Seeing that he and his wife are ordained ministers, Ithought that they would have at least been curious. I’m hisolder brother for goodness sake. But then again, they are of the evangelical, fundamentalist tradition, and don’t exactlysee eye to eye with my theological or sexual orientation.
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Dad had announced that he would not be coming, but mymother was, as were my daughter and son in law, mycousin and my youngest brother, Richard. But not a wordfrom Howard until this morning to tell me that my father was now dead.“I wanted to tell you that Dad died this morning”, he said.“He was taking a shower and mother heard him call out.When she went in, she found him lying, unconscious in thetub.”He went on to tell me about her frantic call for anambulance, the trip to hospital and the official pronouncement of death – upon arrival, I think. In anycase, he just wanted to let me know.
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He told me that he had already spoken with Richard, andthat he would keep me posted of whatever transpired.Keep me posted! Did he really think I just sit there andwait?I told him that I would try to reach mother immediately,and would get back to him with any updates. He told methat she was still at the hospital and had called him fromher cell phone.Her cell phone? She never uses her cell phone, never keepsit on or even with her. And why didn’t she call me first?My mother was still at the hospital when I called, andactually did have her cell phone - on. She answered andimmediately recognized my voice.
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After the Death – Part I: The Currency of Messages
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| Upload Date: | 11/21/2009 |
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