(no subject)

[felicula]

We came home from the countryside to a message from my Mom. My Great Uncle Jim (for some reason we all called him "Uncle Herbie" when I was little) died in his sleep. His neighbors noticed a change in his activity and went over to check on him.

Last summer I attended a big party in honor of the 50th anniversary of his ordination as a Roman Catholic priest. He was a fixture throughout my childhood, caring for my Great-Grandmother until she died at age 93. I remember playing hide-and-seek in the sanctuary of St. Anthony's in Farnham, NY where he was the pastor. I remember old bottles of pop in the rectory basement: remnants from his family's old-style, mom-and-pop bottling company. His heart probably would have stopped if he had ever found out I was Pagan, but I feel a spiritual kinship anyhow. The traditions we follow are different, but both of us have a deep connection to the Whole.

He was a good man.

I will be going to his funeral on Thursday.