Going Home (Multitude Monday 100-120)

Her breaths become shallower and shallower. At first they are deep gasps for breath through long moments of apnea broken only by the sounds of the oxygen tank. Her breathing remains this way for several days. We make her comfortable. We moisten her tongue. We give her medication. We soothe her with words, with songs, with praise, and with His love.

Hospice comes. They are precious, fearless warriors paving the way through the final battle. They say, "It will be today."

And so we wait. We continue with our routine. We, these caretakers, who have know her months, weeks, and some, even just days, and yet our lives are forever intwined with Mrs. Frances, continue with this commission given to us not by her son, but by THE SON.

And then her breathing changes. The breaths are small and close. We are thankful for the expert prayer warrior, who has walked this path with others before, who comes to hold her hand and ours.

The worship music plays, as it has for hours. I choose certain songs that I think soothe or "fit the moment" and then the end is nearer so I leave my playlist on random.

And then it happens. That moment when Heaven opens up. That moment when we as 3 dimensional creatures get the smallest glimpse into the 4th dimension. There is such beauty in these moments that we are simultaneously at peace and yet uncomfortable. We speak of Mrs. Frances seeing her beloved husband whose passing came 22 years before her own. And then we talk of her dancing, dancing, dancing with her GREAT BELOVED. What a wonder and a joy "to shuffle off this mortal coil"! And then we realize that she is truly gone.

And then I hear it....the music.....this song that I have heard before.....sung on numerous occasions.

"Turn your eyes upon Jesus.

Look full in His wonderful face.

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of His glory and grace."

A message from the Father.....don't worry.....she is seeing MY face.....she is home!!

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Continuing to count my gifts....

Gratitude - a feeling of thankfulness or appreciation, as for gifts or favours;

the state of feeling grateful

#101 - each breath I am given

#102 - being able to be "useful" and "have purpose" in someone's life

#103 - words of kindness and encouragement from others

#104 - re-connecting with old friends

#105 - finding "kindred spirits" even in unlikely places

#106 - LIMES!

#107 - Knowing that I am redeemed

#108 - Experiencing His grace...over...and over....and over again

#109 - Loving and being loved by some amazing women God has given me

#110 - shopping with my sister

#111 - finding GREAT deals with my remaining "Christmas gift money"

#112 - getting two new coats as part of those GREAT deals!

#113 - laughing about fun, new, "married" topics with my sis

#114 - having a heart-to-heart with my sister....so good!

#115 - connecting with the Father in corporate prayer

#116 - learning how much I need Him...AGAIN....and AGAIN

#117 - living life/planning towards the future with my husband

#118 - 100 ideas for posts in this blogging world

#119 - HOPE that does not disappoint because it rests in HIM ALONE

#120 - Unconditional Love

I have joined The Gratitude Community -- a place to be inspired by others and what God is doing in their lives, a chance to share my own journey of gratitude, and an opportunity to REMEMBER to be grateful in ALL things. So on Mondays, I will add to my list of 1000 gifts of all the graces God has provided in my life. Would you consider joining me? Even if you don't blog, you can join the gratitude community by starting a gratitude journal, mentionning your gifts on Facebook, or sending e-mails to your friends. Let's work together to help in creating a more thankful, joyous world!!

Join me at....

AND