Reflections on the Passing of Matt's Dad Today

Matt is my wonderful husband of almost 20 years now, and today his father passed away after a long struggle with a series of illnesses. He received the Sacraments two hours before his death and I'm told that it was most peaceful.

I am grateful Bob Sheahan was a patriarch of our family. He was a Master of Ceremonies (or the head altar boy) in the Irish south-side of Chicago in his youth.

Matt says his Dad never missed one of his baseball games growing up. Bob was Matt's best man at our wedding. The two of them enjoyed going to the Suns games so much that when Matt and I got married, I had to compete with his Dad for tickets because I too was an avid fan. ;)

He volunteered his time to make many food deliveries with the St. Vincent de Paul Society, and he once helped a poor immigrant learn to read and get a job. He stayed married to his wife, Margot, for forty-nine years until her death, overcoming many difficulties including the tragic shooting of their oldest son at 23.

Bob was a very loving Grandpa to our five children. He would play checkers and baseball with them. At our "All Saints Day" party one year he dressed up like Saint Peter and stood inside a makeshift boat in our backyard, hooking candy and prizes on fishing rods the children threw over the side. :) He took special delight in finding "just the right" gifts for them at birthdays and holidays, often overshadowing all of the other presents they received.

He had that special "Irish charm" and wit. He had a special devotion to St. Jude and the Holy Spirit. He also enjoyed trips to Alaska and Europe with his new bride, Janie.
Perhaps some years ago, these attributes might seem common place. Unfortunately today, they are rare and extraordinary. I am especially grateful for the Catholic faith he passed on from his ancestors to our children, and for his example in marriage. Please pray for mercy on his soul, as did St. Paul for Onesiphorus (2Timothy1:18). He will be missed.

Also please pray for Matt and the kids in their grief. (Feel free to leave comments for them. Press "comments" at the end of this post.)

As Christians, we are supposed to think about our death everyday. Not to be morbid or excessively fearful about it, but to reflect on our lives and how they will play out on Judgement Day like a movie. We need to be ready because we know not the hour. This little movie clip is a powerful and inspirational testament to the need for this habit:

Click on the Screen--then click on "Movie Commercial"
It's the third little box on your right.