No man is an island

For whom the bell tolls a poem
(No man is an island)
by John Donne

No man is an island,
Entire of itself.
Each is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less.
As well as if a promontory were.
As well as if a manner of thine own
Or of thine friend's were.
Each man's death diminishes me,
For I am involved in mankind.
Therefore, send not to know
For whom the bell tolls,
It tolls for thee.

My mother's brother, our Uncle Wayne, passed away today. He had just been diagnosed with the beginning stages of Leukemia when he began to have some internal bleeding. Nothing could be done for him and in less than two weeks from his diagnosis, he died today. My mom is in Pittsburgh with her family. My Uncle Norman, his wife Ann, Ethan and Peggy are with her. My uncle was a very bitter man and refused to talk about God or Jesus these last few days. My mother sent for a chaplain to come and visit with him. He didn't throw the chaplain out of the room so perhaps he settled things with the Almighty before.

A few days ago the Office Lectionary reading for the day was Mark 9:1 And he said to them, "I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power."

We won't know this side of heaven, but it is our hope that he made his peace.