A Loving Tribute...

It was two years ago today that my mother died...two years ago on the last day of January...except that year, 2010, the last day of January fell on a Sunday. A beautiful snowfall on the previous day blanketed the outside world in silent, still whiteness and the sunlight shimmered and shone, reflecting off the surface of the snow, giving everything the look of newness- the whole world pristine and glowing and lovely. It was the perfect day for Mom's departure and welcome into that other realm where loved ones awaited with open arms to embrace her and carry her "home".



sunday's dying

Brilliant sunlight reflects off

pristine backyard snow as i

draw open the curtains,

light two candles, and prepare

to draw my mother into the

shared circle of worship.

Never mind that she has not

responded since yesterday

morning...never mind that her

breathing is labored and her

heartbeat is wildly irregular...

never mind that her skin

feels hot and clammy...

Today is Sunday and, for Mom,

that means worship. And so,

we begin, a community of two...

my voice strong as I sing "Softly

and Tenderly", as I read Psalm

Twenty-three and words from

John's gospel, as I recite the

Creed and pray the Lord's Prayer,

as I sing, "Peace Like a River",

all the while holding her nearly-

lifeless hand.

Then I speak of the birds- how

she loved the birds!- describing

their delight at the filled feeders

and scattered seed, reminding

her of Another's loving provision

and care...

    And then i sit...

    and watch...

    and wait...

    and pray...

    and long for peace to settle

on that face, so strangely unfamiliar

and yet so dear...

     and then- it does.

          And all is well.