Into the Arms of the Lord

A friend and former colleague off mine texted me on yesterday (Tuesday) and said that they were calling hospice for her mom. I was out and about, and missed the first text by about an hour. This Wednesday morning, a second text alerted me that she had passed away earlier in the morning.

“Mom slipped quietly into the arms of the Lord early this morning. She is at peace.”

I knew her mother lived back in her hometown, about an hour from where my friend lived. She was elderly and had been battling dementia for many years. My friend’s sister had been the primary caretaker since their dad passed away decades earlier. In recent years, my friend had been spending more alternating weekends back home, giving her sister a much needed break; and at times, they would bring her to stay at my friend’s house to truly give her sister some time off. That’s where I met her mom; just a couple of years ago while I was back home visiting family and friends. I’m pretty sure I met her at another time in the past. They had been joint caregivers for her for probably eight or nine years.

Her mother reminded me of my own mom; although my mom passed away at a much younger age. She had a small frame, spoke in a soft voice, and had a warm smile. She was also a woman of God, as was my mom, and you could tell her positive influence on her daughters.

I can only imagine what my friend is feeling today. And as I shared with her, I’ll be praying for her over the coming months during this new journey she and her sisters are now on. I know that even when someone has a disease that you know will one day take their lives; and even though we understand that aging is a part of life, which we know for all of us, will one day end, that doesn’t mean there’s not pain involved with the loss.

So I will grieve with her. Be there for her. And know that there may be times when she may want to just talk, with no expectation of a response from the listener.

“For no one is cast off by the Lord forever.  Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love.  For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone.” Lamentations 3:31-33