8th Anniversary today of My Dad's Death

I marked the day by attendance at Mass. It's a comfort to me that of all the days he could have died on, it was Sept. 8h - the day we commemorate the Blessed Mother's birthday. It has been a relief to me to be able to commend my earthly father to my heavenly Mother.

"Hail Mary, full of Grace,

the Lord is with thee,

Blessed art thou among women,

and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen"

Our Lady and My Dad

I was not able to be with my father when he died 6 years ago today but Our Blessed Mother was.

When I was little, my mother always taught me that I already have a mother in heaven, who would be there for me too, even after she and my dad were gone. It was a great comfort to me that if my dad had to die, as all men do, that he died on the day we celebrate the Blessed Mother's Birthday. If I was not there to hold his hand, she was. "Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, amen."

This window is in my church and I get to sit directly across from it every Sunday. It's my personal favorite. I only wish that I could take it from the right side, as in "real life" the light streams in in an ethereal way - which I just can't quite seem to capture without overexposing. The water, from that angle, almost looks like it's moving. Someday! I've been "saving" her to post today.

I've used this picture of my dad before, but it's too good not to use again.

Edward Henry Horn
June 18, 1932 - Sept. 8, 2001

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