Thanks everyone... especially the non-Catholics, it's so wonderful to hear people who have no 'obligatory loyalty' to the Pope say he is a significant person, and a good person...I think that's the best proof that he is a good Pope.
Ro, I don't know you that well, so forgive me if this question is too personal or painful, but have you ever lost a grandparent?
River, thanks for your words...they help. I've lost a grandmother when I was very very small and although I did feel sorry, because she was my grandma who played with me and loved me, I think I was too young for strong grief.
Since then I've lost very few people who were truly family and important to me...my aunt...I found out about her death from a newspaper, as she was a popular songwriter...I was shocked.
Alatar, don't worry... I asked myself the same question (because I've been asking myself millions of questions since yesterday). And Jewelsong answered as I would have. For me and many people, this isn't an old man dying...he is our Father. I say that meaning it very much- his love isn't abstract for me... he's just my Father. But I don't think you were insensitive as you accuse yourself... any death is hard, and deaths that affect millions always have a double edge.
Enchie...I can't tell you how much it touches me to see your signature. Thank you. It puts tears in my eyes...it's a beautiful gesture.
I don't think many people slept well through last night. I was in bed and only kept the radio on all night, waking up for the news...and there are NO news other than those about the Pope. Absolutely none. Oh, the weather occasionally, but that is seriously it...Since yesterday, almost all radio stations have toned down to calm music and songs, and I really really appreciate that. I'm permanently tuned to RMF fm which has been fantastic yesterday with sending reporters across the country to places where people are praying.
And people are praying EVERYWHERE.
Last night at about ten pm, I didn't know what to do with myself anymore, so I went to church. There were people around the cathedral where a statue of Pope John Paul stands, and they were standing silently praying with candles. A television set was down on the ground and people were around it, trying to read the subtitles for the news.
When I went inside the cathedral, it was full of people with tears in their eyes. Whole families with young children, old people, young people...the cathedral didn't empty all night yesterday, and neither will it empty this night. Like many churches in Poland.
Most events have been cancelled for this weekend, plays, sports matches, concerts. People are flocking to churches, constantly praying.
It's overwhelming...
You know, his dying is a beautiful thing. Have you heard the transmissions from Rome? Young people have gathered on St Peter's Place without being summoned, seventy thousand people since last night and the place almost never empties. They are shouting 'Giovanni Paolo' to let him know they are there with him.
The Vatican says he has tried to talk when they told him about all the young people praying for him, and that from what they pieced together from his words, he said: "I have looked for you, and now you have come to me. Thank you for that."
His death gathers so many of us together...even his death strengthens our faith in God and our community.
I don't know what to pray for, I don't think many people do. Since yesterday I've just been thinking and thinking and thinking...thinking about God and life and death like I never have before.
It's like he's given us a second Easter, perhaps one we can understand better, because it's down here on Earth...
I don't know what will happen. We may be given a test...will he be miraculously cured...will he die soon...will he die in a week...will he fall into a coma...
Whatever happens, believers all over the world are being given such a shake...this man's mission on Earth is so immense, even his death is a beginning and not an end.
But John Paul II said at the beginning of his pontificate: "Fear not."
So I won't.