Business of Life and Death
Today I am thinking about the people around me who are experiencing the death of loved ones. My friend’s mother died on Monday and I went to the viewing on Wednesday night. Her Mom had just passed her 91st birthday. There were a lot of people at the funeral home which was surprising to me because some friends are long gone. She had two daughters and a son, numerous grandchildren, nieces and nephews. I was very touched by my friend’s love for her Mother, she kept whispering to her how much she loved her and patted her hair as if she was still there. I know my friend knows that her mother is being welcomed by all the angels in Heaven and has already been told, “Welcome Home” by Jesus and this day is a celebration of her life for those of us still around.
Another friend is preparing her children for their father’s death. There has been no arrangements made as he is still on life support. The hope is that he will live. So much anguish – all the regrets and guilt feelings – if they had only talked to one another. There is hope that can still be done. I see the value of talking even when the children don’t want to hear about dying. Even the young can experience death. As a young mother, my first baby died and it was horrible for me. Someone who had never experienced any death and had to go through it without family. God has been very gracious and given me a large family today and I pray that they will read this post and think about this time with me. I hope they don’t think that it won’t happen to me, but are prepared and will remember that I want to be with Jesus. I want them to be there also when their time comes. The scripture says, “Today is the day of salvation”, so help the chldren to hear the word of the Lord.
