January 5, 2011
hmmm…..
Death comes in many different ways. When you are invited into that intimate moment when a soul makes the transition from this life to the next, it is sacred. Yesterday I was privileged to enter that sanctum with an elderly lady who is a long time member of our church.
She had moved to our lovely Hospice House which has clean and contemporary facilities and hand made quilts covering each bed. Her only remaining relative, a stepson lives in California
The afternoon was quiet. My parishioner was not responsive at all; she occasionally opened her eyes to look around, but otherwise was lost to our world. The nurse indicated that in a matter of hours, she would be gone. My thought was that her stepson might want an update and the hospice nurse suggested that I could put my cell phone up to the patient’s ear so that the stepson could say a last goodbye. Even though she could not respond, the nurse suggested that she might be able to hear what was being said in the telephone conversation.
Speaking with the stepson, I told him about the facility, her mother’s condition and the nurse’s comments. He was eager to talk with his mother, so I put the phone up to her ear. I couldn’t hear the exact words that the stepson used, but I am guessing that he told her he loved her, and reminisced a little about their life together.
The touching part comes next. As the mother listened to her son, her face became animated. She smiled and nodded and shyly shrugged her shoulders in a characteristic way that indicated she understood what was being said. Her eyes never opened but at one point a single tear trickled down her cheek.
When their conversation was over, I spoke to the son, telling him that there was no doubt in my mind that even though she never spoke, it was obvious that his mother heard the words that he was saying. A few minutes past. Then slowly and peacefully, the breathing stopped and a lovely lady knocked on heaven’s door.
Perhaps it was just coincidence, but I believe that she was waiting to say goodbye to her stepson before she made that last eternal journey.
Death comes in many different ways; but it comes. Eventually for each of us, there will be a transition to the life beyond. Oh, that we could each go peacefully, gracefully, knowing that love still abides and spirit is eternal.
hmmm…..
I, too, have had that privilege. When the sister of one of our retired seminary professors had reached the transition point, I suggested that we call him on my cellphone and let him speak with her. It was clear from the heart monitor that she was aware of him there, and the entire family was "present" when she entered the great cloud of witnesses.
ReplyDeleteOh, Nancy, that made me cry for joy. As one of my relatives says, "Ya dun gude." I think she and her stepson saw Christ through you. A blessing, certainly, for them and for you. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteDear Clay and "SingingSkies",
ReplyDeleteThank you both for your kind and encouraging words. You are a blessing to me!