My Mom passed away on November 11, 2009. She was diagnosed with cancer on our wedding anniversary and died just a few weeks later. I was fortunate enough to be there when she passed from this life into the next. As sad and heartbreaking as it was, to be able to hold her hand when she died was one of the most beautiful experiences of my life.
I wrote what was on my heart and read it at Mom's funeral. It was very difficult to do but I made it through. I'm including it here in my blog. I miss you Mom. Happy Mother's Day.
Mom
The word is endearing and speaks to our hearts of love, comfort and home.
My Mother brought me into this world nine months after she and Dad lost everything that they owned to a flood that destroyed the town of Klamath, CA. Mom was always there for me and as a child she fed me, wiped my bottom and dressed me. She would gently kiss me on my cheek and tell me goodnight. I never imagined that at the end of her life that I would do the same for her.
Mom was known and loved by many people from all over the country. You knew her as Pastor’s Wife, Missionary, WMU Director, Teacher and Soul Winner. Her children, grandchildren and daughters-in-law knew her as Mamaw. Her love for us was incomparable. She always gave of herself to her children and spoiled her grandchildren mercilessly.
As children, Mom looked after us. She packed our lunches and made sure our clothes were clean for school. Mom was always there to chase the ghouls and goblins out from under our beds at night, and to wipe away our tears when we were picked on by bullies on the playground. Mom laughed at our stories, bragged on our successes and shared our tears when we failed. She was always willing to believe the best in us and forgive the worst.
Mom was our cook, housekeeper, chauffer, therapist and more. She was the clown who always made us laugh with her unusual names for everything, her unique personality, and her little accidents.
Mom had suffered for several months before she was finally diagnosed with cancer. We were all surprised at how quickly she went. I am so thankful that I was able to spend time with her before she died. Her last words to me were on Monday night as I made my peace with her and told her not to worry about me and my family. “I love you” were her last words to me. She had to struggle to voice those words through parched lips. My reply to her was “I know you do Mom. I have never doubted for one moment your love for me.”
Mom – No other word in the English language captures in the imagination the unconditional love that our Creator has for us. Is it any wonder that the Bible describes God in parental terms? While we are all familiar with God as Father, there are many verses that support the idea of the Maternal aspect of God as well.
Matthew 23:37 How often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings.
Isaiah 66:13 As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you.
Deuteronomy 32:11 Describes God “Like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, that spreads its wings to catch them and carries them on its pinions.”
Comforter, Sustainer, Breath of Life. So we can compare God to a mother. Indeed She is the Great Mother. All life comes from her, and in the end all life returns to her as well.
Each of us in this room will die. It is inevitable. We can look to the seasons for the progression of life. In the spring life begins. As we are nurtured we grow and reach the summer of adulthood. All too soon comes the harvest of Autumn as we reflect upon our lives and feel the coming of Winter. As the icy snows surround us, we feel the chill of death and take our final breath. But it doesn’t end there. Before the beginning of Spring, just when all hope seems lost, a tiny bud pokes its way up through the frost, reaching for the life giving sun.
Death is not the end. As people of faith, we have the hope of new life, of rebirth and renewal. Mom is not in the casket before us. This is just an empty shell. Her spirit is free. I believe with every ounce of my being that on Wednesday November 11, 2009 at 3pm, that Mom crossed over into the next life and every hope and dream that she ever held in her heart was met when she saw the face of her God.
A few minutes after Mom passed, my sister Janet called me outside and told me to look at the bird bath. A white dove sat there and fluttered up into the big maple tree in the back yard. As the bird flew away, I was reminded of the symbol of the dove representing the Holy Spirit in the Bible and couldn’t help but smile. Mom was in good hands.
I love you Mom. I’ll see you again someday when the white dove comes for me.
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