This
past Saturday was set aside as a day for Laura and me to concentrate on prayer
and so I didn’t check the computer until later in the afternoon. It was then
that I learned that my mother had taken a very unexpected turn health-wise and
was under hospice care. Since then I’ve had several Skype conversations with
various members of my family and learned yesterday (Monday, March 3) morning
that God had quietly and peacefully received her spirit to Himself sometime
during the early morning hours (New Hampshire time). Because my passport was at
Immigration waiting for the work permit to be stamped in it, I was unable to
make any plans until yesterday when, in answer to prayer, our Business Manager
was able to secure it and return it to me. I have a ticket to depart late
tonight (Tuesday) and arrive in New Hampshire late Wednesday afternoon.
Although there is sorrow and plenty of tears, there is deep
rejoicing and thanksgiving that Mom is released from the dementia that robbed
her these past years of true enjoyment of life and of those she loved so much. She’s received
her “well done” welcome and is with her Lord whom she served so faithfully. Her
funeral will be Saturday, March 8.
One
of my sisters commented that you could hardly believe how prevalent the sense
of peace has been throughout the final vigil. Sunday afternoon all who were
there encircled Mom’s bed (praise God, thanks to Dad’s savings and kind faithful
caregivers, both Dad and Mom have been able to remain in their home) and for
several hours sang hymns together. Dad, in his wheelchair, holding Mom’s hand,
joined them in raising his voice in praise to His Savior and Lord. Mom was
quite alert during most of that time, her eyes wide open, which hadn’t been the
case. One niece who was fairly near to Mom was fairly sure that Mom actually
hummed along now and then. One sister described it as a sacred time as various
ones expressed their appreciation and love for her.
Of
course, I would love to have been there with the siblings that made it home in
time (two of my brothers live close by and three sisters arrived on Saturday).
However, God granted me, via Skype, an opportunity to once again thank my Mom
for being so faithful, tell her I loved her, and to say “farewell” until we
meet again on the other side. My sisters told me she opened her eyes fairly
wide, breathed deeper than normal, and seemed to be searching the room as I
spoke—I take that as a gift from the Lord that perhaps she recognized my voice
and comprehended what I was trying to say.
I
will stay with my Dad for about three weeks before returning here to Uganda.
After 62+ years of marriage to a faithful and committed wife, the gap she
leaves is immense. Even though for the past while, she hasn’t been able to
communicate verbally or through body language, at least she sat beside him each
day and willingly allowed him to hold her hand…but now she’s gone. Dad
earnestly longs to also depart from his frail body and mind and be with the
Lord, but in God’s sovereignty, He chose to take Mom first. As you think of it,
please pray for him during these difficult days of adjustment.
Perhaps
in another blog, I’ll share some special memories of my dear Mom…and there are
many. But for now, we’ll rejoice that she experienced no pain, no suffering, no
turmoil of any kind as she walked through the valley of death and that she is
now totally and freely enjoying life with her Savior Whom she loved and served
so faithfully. What more can we ask for?
