My mother passed away October 19th as some of you know. It has been a very hard month. Not being one that “shares” my sorrow with others, I tend to wall off and wait for grief and sadness to be lifted. I am still waiting and waiting. But there is something I have been wanting to share from the day it happened, but have not been able to. Perhaps now is the time.
It was the last day I saw Mom. I went to the rehab center to spend some time with her. When I walked in she was sitting in a chair working a puzzle and I went over and kissed her on the cheek which was my habit of doing all through the years of our lives.
She appeared to be slightly spunky considering everything she had been through. She had been on a respirator for just two days. I say “just two” because we were told a few months ago if she ever ended up on one whe would never come off. But God…
We chatted about world events; things she was always interseted in. She had two sisters with Altzimers and it was a blessing to her and to us that she still had her right mind even to the very end.
The rehab was going to have an hour of Bingo for the residents. I asked Mom if she would like to go and she said yes. I wheeled her down and wheeled her to a table where one woman was sitting alone. The woman was in a wheelchair also, but she had what appeared to be severe cerebral palsey. I figured we would help her as the use of her arms and hands were limited.
Mom and I play and she wins a little prize. She got to pick out what she wanted and she picked a little glass with hearts on it.
A black heavy set woman wheeled herself in and this woman had the biggest smile on her face. Immeditately, I sensed she was a Christian. Someone asked her if she would sing. She kind of laughed and said no. I asked her what she sang (knowing all along what she would tell me) and sure enough she said Gospel. I asked her too sing and she began to sing the most beautiful hymns in the most powerful voice.
I looked over at Mom and her eyes were wet. There was an annointing on the woman and my mother was sensing it. I asked the woman if she knew “How Great Thou Art” and she cut loose with it. This time my eyes began to get wet along with my mother’s. We both sat silently listening to this angelic voice.
You have to understand; my mother was a stoic woman. She did not show her emotions all that well. She could be still waters or a raging sea. There was no in between with her. So seeing my mother moved like that was a blessing.
I began to think to myself, “This is church! My mother and I are having church together becasue the Word says where two or more are gathered in His Name, He is in the midst of them. Oh thank You, Jesus! Thank you! You have answered a prayer I never thought possible!”
Next came “Happy Hour.” Yep, that’s right, “Happy Hour.” They brought in a cart full of drinks. You had your choice of Beer, Wine, Vodka, Whiskey, etc! I can not remember the last time either of us had a drink of any kind. Especially together, but we had one that day. She chose a whiskey and coke. I chose a glass of wine. Well, actually two glasses of wine. Two was the limit.
We both were smiling and having a good time just being with each other.
It came time to wheel her back to her room. I told her I felt a little loopy and she kind of laughed at the thought only two small glasses would have an effect on me. I was feeling kind of playful and almost told her, “Pick your feet up Mom, and I’ll take you for a ride!” But I didn’t. I didn’t want to give her another heart attack, though she probably would have enjoyed the ride as she was one of the most playful people I have ever known.
Later, I kissed her good-bye and told her I was going home to prepare to go home with her when they released her. I truly thought she would go home to stay in the next couple of days. I did not know she would die two nights later in that place.
After I got home, it dawned on me that God had certainly ordained that day. Not only did Mom and I have church, but I got to have the last drink with her! How ironic.
I really don’t know where I am suppose to go with this. It is just something I wanted to share how God took my last day with my Mother and made it so special. I guess I can sum it up like this; Sometimes the smallest of things are the biggest blessings of God. Sometimes we have to look for them to find them. I hope you will be blessed by many many small things in your life.
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