“So, with you; now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.” John 16:22

A sudden unexpected stroke left my mom in very serious condition and changed life, for not only her, but for all of us in the family. The stroke further complicated some other very serious medical conditions that she had been dealing with.  Following the stroke mom was left with very little speech and had to have a feeding tube placed for nutrition.  She had significant challenges with her physical and cognitive skills.

The next year and a half took us down many roads. At times we celebrated her progress and we had renewed hope, but mostly, there were setbacks along the way.   In addition to the stroke, my mother’s peripheral arterial disease continued to progress.  After surgical interventions failed and options had been exhausted, we were told the news we didn’t want to hear by the vascular surgical team.  It was a heartbreaking time period for all of us as we transitioned mom into hospice care.  Even though mom was a woman of faith, it seemed like this life script was written way too short and she was not ready to leave us.

The months and days that followed were some of the most difficult and painful times as my sister and I provided her hospice care at home. Managing her intense pain was the main focus of every day.  Mom’s will to live was amazing.  She was an intense fighter. Every day we did our best to reassure her that we would all be okay and it was ok for her to let go. One of our most beautiful memories during those difficult days was one evening when a volunteer from hospice visited our home and said to us “I see you are Lutheran; can I sing you some hymns?” It was beautiful and made mom content and peaceful reminding her of her faith.  In her last days there was so little life left in her failing, frail body.  Her breaths were shallow and her pulse and blood pressure were weak. 

However, during her last moments there was a dramatic change as mom was making her transition. Suddenly we observed rapid eye movement and a peaceful kind of smile that appeared on her face. She started to vocalize with high happy sounds.  It sounded as though she was greeting others with a “hello”. It was amazing! I’ve never witnessed anything more incredible.  Not only did this experience reaffirm to us the promise that we have in eternal life, but the comfort knowing the happiness that mom experienced meeting her Lord and Savior and seeing all of her loved ones that proceeded her in her death. Mom was there with her daughters when we took our first breaths and we were there with her as she took her last.  What an incredible privilege we were given.  Thank you, Lord.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for providing us with your comfort and the gift of eternal life.  Thank you for the promise of reuniting us with our loved ones someday. Amen.