I wanted to journal and share this most private and precious moment with Mom. I wanted to write it, because I never want to forget it, not that I think I could. I wanted to share it because it was the moment when God gave me the words.

The Hospice nurse caring for mom in these last hours was an Angel.
Of that I am sure.
I don’t mean figuratively.
I mean she was an Angel, sent by God to help Mom.

As the nurse was tending to Mom,
Her eyesight now gone, her bodily functions all failing,
She still hung on to life and couldn’t let go.
She had been like this for many many hours.

I came up behind her and stroked her hair and told her who I was.
She had not spoken for many hours, and she gasped the words
“Oh God, help me.”
I was so surprised to hear her speak.
I thought she didn’t have any strength left by now.
But that took all of her effort to get those words out.
Tears welled up in me.

Mom had been so afraid of death.

As I rubbed her back, the nurse Angel encouraged me to
Get up next to mom in bed and cradle her in my arms.
She said it would help her.

Gently slipping my arm under her
I held her now. Tears flowing from my eyes.

It was at that moment, that God gave me the words.
This is what I said into her ear, as I held her so close:

“I love you so much Mom. You know how much I love you.

It’s time for you to go. You don’t need to hang onto this life
any longer. I know you love us so deeply, but you don’t need to worry
about any of us. We’re going to be ok. God is going to take care of us.

It is time for you to go on and let Jesus take your hand and lead you on to Heaven.  There are so many of the people you love waiting for you there.  They are so much looking forward to seeing you. Your sister Veleta is there. She really wants to hold you right now. Bert is there too. Your brother Al is there. Geneva just got there, and she is looking forward to seeing you also. Your sweet mom, is there, wanting to see you again. She was such a precious person. Your dad is there too. Your grandparents are all there. You haven’t seen them in so long. Aunt Ada and Uncle Henry is there.

And Dad is there. He is so anxious to see you again.

You know how much I love you?
And how much you love me?

Well, Jesus loves you even more than that.
And he will take good care of you.

They are all so excited to see you and welcome you into Heaven. They have prepared a party for you. Don’t be afraid to go. You’re going to a very special place.

Don’t worry, it won’t be long before the rest of us are there with you.

You won’t be hurting any more. You’ll be able to walk again. You’re going to be ok.

And remember our special meeting place in Heaven, in the Gift Shop? We’re all going to be there. They need you there to decorate the Gift Case.

So now it’s ok to leave here. It’s time for you to go on to Heaven.”

After these words, a look of peace came over Mom’s face as I held her close.
She took two more breaths, and was gone.

I gestured the nurse to come over, as I held her now-quiet body to check her vital signs. Finding Mom’s heart was no longer beating, the Nurse said, “Whatever you said must have been what she needed to hear.”

What a tender moment this was.

Thank you God for giving me the words.
Thank you God for this tender parting moment with Mom
And for all of the time I got to spend with her.

Tears flow down my cheek.
I am going to miss her so much. I loved her so much.
Thank you God for taking her to Heaven.

I know this was not an end. This was a new beginning.

When Mom spoke her last words, “Oh God, help me”,
I know God did.

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Copyright: Please do not republish any of these writings without first obtaining my permission. (You may contact me by clicking on the Contact Kevin link).  All of my writings are Copyright (c) 2005 Kevin Gourley. All rights reserved.   Any reference to them should also reference the web page address as well.