Glorious life ending. There must have been a moment when his son had gasped for air, the last time, as Jesus must. But as Jesus had risen, he wanted his son to rise up, organs and spirit and mind intact, and everything to be as it had been not so long ago.
In "Mr. Ives' Christmas," the author Oscar Hijuelos reflects on the deep sorrow of a father's loss as he contemplates the final moments of his son's life. The imagery evokes the pain of that last breath, reminiscent of the suffering of Jesus. This moment captures the struggle between life and death, and the heartache of a parent watching their child fade away.
Despite this sorrow, the father longs for his son to rise again, restored in body, spirit, and mind. He yearns for the past, reminiscing about the times when everything was whole and perfect. The juxtaposition of hope and despair illustrates the profound love and desire for redemption, highlighting the emotional turmoil that accompanies such a devastating loss.
