On June 25th of this year, four days before her birthday, breast cancer took away my Mom’s life on Earth, and she went to be with Jesus. On January 29th, I had the opportunity to drive Mom to one of her surgeries and stay with her until it began. This picture was taken that morning.
I love that we are smiling and holding one another close. I love that she wore pajamas and bunny slippers to the hospital. I love that we listened to music and talked about life on the drive in.
When we got there, during our wait, I read the first chapter of my favorite book, The Wind in the Willows, aloud to her. Something she did with her dad in his last days several years ago, and something she did with me during my childhood. I told her that however the procedure went, we were at peace with one another, and I trusted God with the outcome. We cried and held each other, and I waved goodbye as the nurses wheeled her into the operating room.
She lived for another five hard months after that day. There are many moments to hold, and some to share, and I hope at the end of my days to have honored her memory well.
For now, as I reflect on that day, I think with gratitude on the work of reconciliation that God did in our relationship. For a period of my life, I did not love her well, and I had the opportunity to make amends for that before her death. One commitment I made was to be present. And in her last days, we were together often.
In my experience, God’s heart is always for reconciliation, between Himself and us, and between us and others. He loved me when I was unlovable, as did my Mom. And God reconciled me to His love in a miraculous way, allowing me to experience healing this side of Heaven. Stories I hope to share here another day.
For today, I am grateful for a Mom who loved me to the last. And I pray comfort for anyone else missing someone this Christmas. I would give you a hug if I could.