Nice thoughts, lostangel. The good part is: it is not the end just the beginning of another journey. John Paul II's legacy is that he touched so many ppl all over the world. It is said that he spoke "in person" to more ppl than has any other person in the world. He was a peace-loving Pope...and that would be the only real area for which some may criticize him. Obviously because of his life...in Poland, the Nazis etc, he could not stand any warring.

It is the beginning of a new era. I have been through this before (as I am old!)... and the wonderful feeling you will have soon, with the new Pope, will be as intense as any sadness you may feel now. Good wishes for your new religious endeavors.