My parents lived a happy, independent life into their nineties. One day on the way back from the grocery store, a car hit them. My mother was never able to go home again.
I spent a remarkable week with her when she was in the hospital. It was remarkable because, even in the midst of intense suffering, she refused to let satan gain even an inch.
She lay in bed and prayed for every family member by name, invoking God’s richest blessings on each of us. She prayed for the doctors, nurses and anyone who worked in that hospital. She raised her hands to The Lord and just praised Him for the wonderful life she had had. She sang hymns of praise through her pain.
She tenderly expressed love to everyone. Most touching was hearing her say to my father, “Horace, God has been so good to us throughout our entire life. How could we do anything but trust Him now?”
She held his hands and said, “God made you for me and me for you. And He will take care of us. God will take care of you. He will. I know He will.”
The day I was to return home (I lived in another state), Mother was a little confused because of an electrolyte imbalance. Just before I had to leave, the doctor came in. He asked the usual questions to determine her mental status. He asked her if she knew her name, where she was, etc.
Then he pointed to me and said, “Do you know who she is?” My mother smiled the smile I loved so much — the one that seemed to just open the floodgates of Love. And then she said, “Of course, I know her.”
She grabbed my hand, looked directly into my eyes and said, “Carolyn, I could never forget you. I love you so much.” And then she fell asleep.
That was the last time I saw my mother in her earthly body. Her Benediction is a Gift I treasure. She is a part of me and her continued love as a member of that “great cloud of witnesses” sustains me every day.
I can never forget her. I love her so very much.
Love one another, as I have loved you … John 13:34
