Category Archives: Death & Dying

In the Wake of Bitter News

Posted on December 31, 2019 by Doc Arnett

Even in the aching numbness of loss, let us remember–and cherish–the amazing power of love. Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Devotions, Death & Dying, Family, Poetic Contemplations, Relationships, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged comfort, faith, grief, hope, loss, love, Melissa Rogers Paton, sorrow | Comments Off

In Memory of Jon Moore–1956-2019

Posted on October 30, 2019 by Doc Arnett

There was so much I didn’t know about Jon Moore… but everything I did know made me like and respect him. Continue reading →

Posted in Death & Dying, Family, Relationships, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged Jon Moore, loss of friend, memory, passing | 3 Comments

There are many hard losses in this world; losing a baby has to be among the hardest. How critical in this the love of family, the caring of friends, the sharing of sorrow and the hope of resurrection. Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Devotions, Christian Living, Death & Dying, Family, Metaphysical Reflection, Poetic Contemplations, Poetry, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged baby, baby dying, death of a baby, funeral for a baby, infant death, Kalli Nicholson, Steve Nicholson, stillborn | Comments Off

Hiking in the Dark

Posted on November 5, 2018 by Doc Arnett

When fatigue tugs at our limbs and exhaustion etches into our joints, he who has shaped our path will still give us strength. Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Christian Devotions, Christian Living, Death & Dying, Exercise, Nature, Relationships, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged Bright Angel Trail, exhaustion, Grand Canyon, hiking, Mark Flickinger, presence of God, providence, South Kaibob Trail, strength, tired, training, weary | Comments Off

18th Hole

Posted on October 4, 2018 by Doc Arnett

The image that Kristi described of Brian reaching up toward heaven as he died reminds me of what my sister Patsy said about our mother’s final hours… Love the image! Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Devotions, Death & Dying, Family, Poetry, Relationships, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged angels, Brian Shaw, cancer, death bed, devotion, dying, Kristi Shaw, passing, peaceful passing | Comments Off

Watching Death

Posted on October 1, 2018 by Doc Arnett

Among the things that I admire is the devotion of women and men to one another in those final hours. Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Christian Devotions, Christian Living, Death & Dying, Family, Poetry, Relationships, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged devotion, dying, faithfulness, husband's death, keeping watch, loyalty, slow death, wives, women | Comments Off

Making a Good Day

Posted on September 7, 2018 by Doc Arnett

While rain might ruin some plans it can make others work perfectly. Better to open one umbrella than to curse the showers… Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Devotions, Christian Living, Death & Dying, Nature, Relationships, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged attitude, blessings, choice, grateful, life, perspective, poor and unknown, rain, rain in Kansas, rainy day, rich and famous, seasons | Comments Off

A Simple Sharing

Posted on August 9, 2018 by Doc Arnett

We may be shaped by grief and sorrow, but we can choose the form of that shape; even in our pain we can gain greater caring for others and refuse to be defined by our scars. Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Living, Death & Dying, Poetry, Relationships, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged caring, consolation, empathy, grief, hope, sharing, sorrow, strength | Comments Off

Marking the Passing

Posted on July 5, 2018 by Doc Arnett

Among the things I’d planned for my Fourth of July, helping with Wilberta “Billie” Jane Kelly’s funeral wasn’t one of them. It was an honor that my plans got changed! Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Christian Devotions, Death & Dying, Family, Relationships, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged Billie Kelly, country cemetery, Geuda Springs, Geuda Springs Cemetery, Kelli Lynn Dvorak, Wilberta Jane Kelly, Wilberta Kelly | Comments Off

Academic Retreat

Posted on June 14, 2018 by Doc Arnett

Even in intellectual settings, it is the caring for one another that matters most and helps us focus together on the work that we share. Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Devotions, Christian Living, College, Death & Dying, education, Higher Education, Metaphysical Reflection, Nature, Poetry, Prayer, Relationships, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged academic retreat, caring, colleagues, Cowley College, faith, prayer, trusting God | Comments Off