Perhaps there is nothing more powerful in life as watching life blossom and watching life enter into its winter season.
Photo By Rebecca McDow
Recently, I had the pleasure to once again experience a life in its winter season breathe its last few hours on earth. Many are brought to an unwavering chill when talking about death; however, I add one additional element to this rather earthly experience. It is the experience of being in tune with the spirit of a person and knowing that at any moment God could nod and say, “It is so!” This moment of transition is a sort of melody and a symphony of earthly emotion and of spiritual unrest. I could not help but to feel like the holy angels of God were standing next to her bed – standing guard and awaiting the lord’s call for her to journey home.
My dear friend and her family, whom I consider an extended family, entered into concert with a lady of true elegance and grace. She perhaps reminded me of my own grandmother, humble in every step she took and loved unshakably. Grandma is what I called her and a true grandmother she was. A woman of zero pretensions, a soldier in the mighty Army of Christ
Grandma in her final hours was in bed resting with her family surrounding her. Her earthly shell had a heavenly glow about it and there was a spirit of peace while sitting in her presence. Grandma only opened her eyes twice while I was at her bedside. Once when the nurse took her vitals and my dear friend started talking to her the names of the grandchildren in the room. The other, when her son and daughter-in-law walked into the room. That time she actually spoke to them. Grandma was saying goodbye…taking a few more moments to say, “See ya later!”
Then she closed her eyes to rest and await her orders to go home. Nothing more confirmed that this was happening than when my dog Max got restless and started to cry. I knew at that moment Grandma was in the presence of God’s angels and hanging around to make sure that her children were able to say goodbye – A kind of closure moment.
Before I left her side, I grabbed her hand and said, “Take it easy!” She did move her lips in response almost as to say to me, “Goodbye!” Though sad, I was happy!!! She was going home to see the Lord, to see all of her family members. I prayed in the car ride home that she would go and say hello to my grandpa, both my great grandmothers and all of my family members…..I know, kind of selfish….I hope God had a party for her. I am sure he did……
Early in the morning hours Grandma finally got her call and she went home……See ya later Grandma, I only hope that my life will reflect one tenth of the holiness you possessed while on earth!
Also filed at CNNi Report: Stephen McDow on CNNi Report
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By Stephen McDow in
Reflect Now: Thoughts & Feelings on
April 13, 2013 .
