Selected Verses from Ben Sira

These passages come from the Old Testment:

Fear not death; we are destined to die. We share it with all who ever lived, with all who ever will be. Bewail the dead, hide not your grief, do not restrain your mourning. But remember that continuing sorrow is worse than death. When the dead are at rest, let their memory rest, and be consoled when the soul departs.

Death is better than a life of pain, and eternal rest than constant sickness.

Seek not to understand what is too difficult for you, search not what is hidden from you. Be not over-occupied with what is beyond you, for you have been shown more than you can understand.

As a drop of water in the sea, as a grain of sand on the shore are man's few days in eternity. The good things in life last for limited days, but a good name endures forever.

Yesterday, my mom and I went to visit my dad. The tombstone is finally up and is beautiful. God does work in mysterious ways. Right after my dad's death, we had found out that my biological grandfather (my father's father), whom I never met, is also buried there. He shares the exact first, middle initial, and last name as my dad. Yesterday, we found his tombstone; it's just a couple of sites from where my dad is.

It's hard to imagine that this still unknown place, will gradually become a site that will become familar to me; where I will probably memorize the path, the shape of the trees, the names on the tombstones. Eventually this site will give me comfort, where there is sorrow. I'm looking forward to springtime where the trees will blossom and the flowers will grow. It is actually a very peaceful place, in the middle of the forest.

So that's how I spent my weekend.