Prelude to Eternity

Pennington Grenfell Anne

Description

PRELUDE to ETERNITY: A Journey to Beyond Death is an intimate, moving and compelling portrait of a couples travels through lifes greatest challenge: preparing for its ending. The story offers convincing evidence that physical death is just a preface to the next level of existence. Empowered by their deep love for each other, Pascoe and Annes search for meaning leads them to explore the deepest dimensions of spiritual discovery. You will share their remarkable experience in mans eternal quest for understanding and peace as they face the unknown. You will tread the stony path with them through denial, anger, bargaining, depression and finally, acceptance. And youll find yourself rejoicing with them when they emerge triumphant with the assurance that life continues beyond death. Everyone who has endured the passing of a loved one will identify with this intensely human portrayal about conquering the defeat of despair and finding security in the knowledge that life does not end, it only changes

Sujets

• Philosophie et théologie

Informations

• Publié par: Inspiring Voices
• Date de parution: 12 avril 2013
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781462405824
• Langue: English

Extrait

“Profound and inspiring, the journeys of Anne and Pascoe, each coming to new territories of growth and ascendency, will guide you through an illness that is surmounted by gifts of the Spirit. Anne will speak directly to you as she chronicles the emotional, physical and spiritual mountains, deserts and valleys she and Pascoe must follow, each fording the torrents they meet—alone, but ultimately together. This book, one of honesty, reflection and piercing reality, will aid you in gaining strength as you follow the path of love transformed in death—as in life! Anne’s bravery in narrating her journey with Pascoe toward wholeness and acceptance will provide hope for all who encounter life’s challenges.”
—Paula J. Davidson, playwright, The View from Here
Prelude to ETERNITY
A Journey to Beyond Death
A TRUE STORY OF LOVE, COURAGE AND FAITH
ANNE PENNINGTON GRENFELL

 
 
 
Copyright © 2013 Anne Pennington Grenfell.
 
Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible.
 
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
 
Inspiring Voices books may be ordered through booksellers or by contacting:
 
Inspiring Voices
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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.
 
Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.
 
Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.
 
ISBN: 978-1-4624-0583-1 (sc)
ISBN: 978-1-4624-0582-4 (e)
 
Library of Congress Control Number: 2013906183
 
Inspiring Voices rev. date: 4/11/2013
Table of Contents

Dedication
Epigraph
Illustrations
Foreword
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Chapter 1      The Best of Times
Chapter 2      Warning Signs
Chapter 3      Into The Valley
Chapter 4      Miracles
Chapter 5      Insights into Spirit
Chapter 6      Encountering the Divine
Chapter 7      Grief and Grace
Chapter 8      Terms of Endurance
Chapter 9      Compassionate Connections
Chapter 10    The Eve of Transition
Chapter 11    Transcending Mortality.
Chapter 12    Revelations of Higher Consciousness
Chapter 13    Letting Go and Letting God
Chapter 14    Intimations of Eternity
Chapter 15    In Remembrance
Chapter 16    Beginning Again
Epilogue
Bibliography
About the Author
Dedication

T o everyone seeking faith and hope in sharing the final journey of a loved one
Epigraph

“A life well lived doesn’t end, any more than music ends… it echoes through time with whispers of beauty and grace…If we listen, we can hear the encore with our hearts, for the song plays on, just as love lives on. Where there is sorrow, let there be comfort. Where there is pain, let there be strength. Where there is darkness, let there be love to light your way.” (Author Unknown)
Illustrations

Cover:
Pascoe and Anne Grenfell, 1993
Introduction:
Memorial Service
Page One:
Kinloch Pascoe Grenfell
Chapter One:
Anne and Pascoe, Wedding, July 4, 1974
Chapter One:
Pascoe and Anne at Home in New York
Chapter One:
Pascoe and sons Thomas (left) and Peter (right) with statue of their father and grandfather, Sir Wilfred T. Grenfell, Newfoundland, 1982
Chapter Two:
Pascoe and Anne, 1982
Chapter Two:
Dancing Partners
Chapter Three:              
Junior Lepidopterist; age 14
Chapter Three:
Senior Lepidopterist, 1978
Chapter Four:
Getting Ready for Daughter’s Wedding
Chapter Four:
Bride and Stepfather Dance
Chapter Four:
Anne and Pascoe Dance at Daughter’s Wedding Reception
Chapter Five:
Pascoe and His Sister, Rosamond, With His Butterflies, 1995
Chapter Eight;
Pascoe Fishing on the James River, Virginia, 1986
Epilogue:
Our Last Photo Together, 1993
 
Foreword

“Behold, I show you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.” I Corinthians 15:50-54
I n these stunning words, St. Paul encapsulates the exquisite transformation called dying, that we may live forevermore in the power and glory of Christ. To many, this happens instantaneously.
What happens, though, when death comes slowly – not in the twinkling of an eye, but over the long course of many months, or years, or even a lifetime? Are we to lose faith in the promises of God? Are the emotions we feel as we gradually lose our loved one stronger than our faith? Do we grieve in bits and pieces as we or our loved one diminishes in stature? Do we feel sometimes abandoned or less than glorious?
According to a recent study of the World Health Organization, chronic illness is by far the leading cause of death in the world. It represents 63% of all deaths in the world population and 70% for the United States. Over 90% of seniors have one chronic illness and 77% have two or more. What are we to do when death comes slowly?
In the pages ahead is a love story like no other. It is also a story of the struggle a husband and wife have in keeping their faith, loving one another, and finding hope for the future in the face of chronic illness and a terminal diagnosis. It is a story of grieving and finding the courage to love unconditionally.
I first met Pascoe and Anne Grenfell when they joined our church in 1986. I was immediately struck by Pascoe’s tall stature, his noble bearing, and the gracious and articulate way he presented himself. Though struggling with a major illness, he never revealed his distress, and chose to be an encourager and giver of faith to others. His and Anne’s selfless giving – their genuine and gentle natures – made them ready friends to all whom they met.
I encourage anyone who has lost their loved one or who is seeking to cope in the face of loss to read this book. It will bring you comfort as you grieve and will let you know you are not alone. It will stir your faith, inspire you, and help you to accept and find love again.
Reverend Gary Griffith, Unity Minister and Hospice Chaplain
Acknowledgements

F irst and foremost, I want to thank Reverend Gary Griffith, our Unity minister, and all our friends at Unity Christ Church of Bon Air, Virginia, for their uncompromising love and support, shown in so many wonderful ways. To Barbara and all the Hospice team in Richmond, who played a vital role in seeing us through the long journey, my heartfelt thanks. To Lisa Lambeth, my everlasting gratitude for so faithfully and lovingly fulfilling her essential role in Pascoe’s transition. Special thanks to Betty Cartner, healer and friend, whose communications from Spirit gave me hope and soothed my soul. My deepest gratitude and affection to Paula Davidson, my very dear friend, whose steadfast encouragement, advice and editing talent were enormously helpful in getting my story told. My appreciation to Pascoe’s family, whose caring meant so much to Pascoe, and to me. I bless my parents, now in Spirit, whose spiritual insight and guidance throughout Pascoe’s and my journey gave us strength to continue and endure. To Michael, whose loving friendship uplifts me: my heart. And to my two beloved daughters: April, who was there for me from the beginning, and, with her sister, Jennifer, is there for me still.
Introduction

“ While we are apart, we will simply hold hands across time, smile into each other’s minds and bask in the warmth of our love.” - Hugh and Gail Prather, from Notes to Each Othe r
H ow do you say goodbye to your best friend, your life mate, your one true love? How can you let go, knowing you will not see him again, ever, in this lifetime? Having accepted that he must go on without you, how do you help him to leave, whe