He hung up the phone, walked into the kitchen where I was making a pot of chicken soup, looked me in the eye and said, “I have to go to Virginia this weekend.”
He had just been talking with his dad and his mother isn’t doing well. The fluid is building up around her heart. Her legs are swollen. She can no longer walk, even with her walker. She is sleeping a lot.
It is too soon. For me. Too close to the one year anniversary of my own dad’s death.
Too many similarities. Too many reminders.
All of our days are numbered, but she probably has fewer than most of us.
Since we moved out east 7 years ago, John has made an effort to get down to see his parents every 6 weeks or so. It is a short drive of 5 hours and much closer than he had been since he left home at 18 and traveled west 400+ miles to attend college. Back in the day where there were no cell phones. No e-mail. No instant communication. Maybe he called home on Sunday evenings, maybe he didn’t. I don’t know.
After college he took a job even further west.
When we got married, we tried to get back to his hometown a couple of times a year. We saw his family in July when we all met for a vacation. Moving east has allowed him more visit with his family.
I feel that the end of her days is nearing. While those left behind may be sad, I know she will find peace.
And rest.
And comfort.
She will no longer be dependent on others. She will walk without aid.
She will be at peace.
And those left behind will learn to live life without her.
(emphasis mine)
My mother-in-law is a righteous women. She knows the Lord and is a prayer warrior. And one day, probably sooner than I would like, she will walk the streets of gold and say hello to my daughter and my dad.
A Gentle Thunder Hearing God Through The Storm
“Could death be God’s grace?
Could the funeral wreath be God’s safety ring?
As horrible as the grave may be,
could it be God’s protection from the future?”
seem like a safety ring.
Do you?
A Gentle Thunder affiliate link included in today’s post
Praying for John and his family. And for you Mary, especially so close to your dad's anniversary. 🙁 It is wonderful when we think of what our parents gain through death, but we still miss them here.
Thank you for the prayers, Lisa. Yes, it is still painful even though we know they are better off.
It is difficult to see your loved one suffer. God knows when to call his loved ones home and it is a protection from the coming evil or to alleviate the pain they experience. I was comforted by Isaiah 57:1-2 as it gives me the perspective of how our times are in God's hands. Our loss must be tempered with the knowledge that our loved ones have found peace and are in God's presence.
It is difficult to see them suffer and to lose them, but you are right…they have found peace in His presence. Thank you for stopping by.
Mary, I will be lifting you and John and his mom and dad and family up in my quiet prayer time! God Bless
Thank you, Kathy. I really do appreciate your prayers.
Mary, I'm so sorry. I know this is a difficult time. you are in my prayers, not just for this time, but because you are my friend.
Oh, friend…I love you. Thank you
Mary, I am sorry to hear about John's mother; please tell John I would count it a privilege to be of any help or run any errand for him, especially at this time.
Thank you, Bill. I don't think praying is the only thing you can do.
Oh Mary, I'm sorry to read about John's mom. I will be praying for all of you and for safe travels for John this weekend.
Thank you, Kathleen. He went down Thursday and is probably going to come home Friday night after dinner. He is hoping to miss the bad weather.
Mary, we will be praying for John and all of the Bonners.
Thank you, Margie. Prayers are appreciated.
Prayers up for John's mother – and for you, for the losses you've faced.
As someone who is dying, I sort of take exception to people (some quite close to me) who want to see my pain relieved, and who think – and say – that I'd be better off in death.
I still have a job to do; pain's killing, but you can always do one positive thing in the moment. You can always send a word of encouragement to someone who's worse off, or a prayer for someone you can't reach.
And it's personal, because this illness has taken so much. It's not a friend, introducing me to peace in death. It's an enemy, and I will beat it back with every bit of strength I have.
I may lose the battle, but the evil that sent the illness will recoil in terror at the ferocity of the fight. And God Himself, and His angels, will bow their heads when I step onto the streets of gold. I'll walk 'em like I own 'em, because I will.
This is my fight, and I want it, to the last frag, the last round, the last unbroken finger to stick in the devil's eye.
http://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2015/01/why-men-dont-share-feelings-five-minute.html
Andrew, thank you for your prayers. I cannot imagine what you are going through. I'll be praying for you.
My heart goes out to you. I don't know what to say to make you feel better. I'll just say I know you'll get through this.
Thank you. You know, I will get through this because it is part of life. Part of the story He designed for me. Thank you for stopping by.