My oldest friend is at her mother's deathbed. A few days ago, when her mother was still fairly alert, my friend forgave her for any lingering resentments, and told her some of the ways she had been a good mother. The patient visibly relaxed and smiled. I had told my friend if she could do this, she would remember it the rest of her life. Illness and death are inescapable, but there are ways to minimize remorse, and this is one of the best. Also, once this is over, if my own experience with my father is any guide, she'll never again fear watching someone die.
It was just in time; her mother no longer is really conscious. A priest has administered the last rites. I would be grateful for everyone's prayers for her.
I was surprised to learn that my friend, a typical hippie with typical hostility to "organized religion" but a vestigial longing for God and meaning, was baptized a Catholic long, long ago. Her mother, too, was fallen away, but in the end people do tend to come back. "Meat when I'm hungry, drink when I'm dry, two dollars when I'm hard up, and religion when I die." Therefore to hear my friend ask me to ask my co-religionists to pray for her was a powerful message I thought I should heed, and I was very glad to hear that she and her sister brought in a priest to administer the last rites. My own congregation joined me in prayers for her and her family, as did a number of other believers I reached out to this week. Thanks to you folks as well.
I am sorry for your friend's loss. I'm glad she found something of value in the experience. Hopefully it was also valuable to her mother.
ReplyDeleteIt was just in time; her mother no longer is really conscious. A priest has administered the last rites. I would be grateful for everyone's prayers for her.
ReplyDeletePrayers shall be said.
ReplyDeleteI was surprised to learn that my friend, a typical hippie with typical hostility to "organized religion" but a vestigial longing for God and meaning, was baptized a Catholic long, long ago. Her mother, too, was fallen away, but in the end people do tend to come back. "Meat when I'm hungry, drink when I'm dry, two dollars when I'm hard up, and religion when I die." Therefore to hear my friend ask me to ask my co-religionists to pray for her was a powerful message I thought I should heed, and I was very glad to hear that she and her sister brought in a priest to administer the last rites. My own congregation joined me in prayers for her and her family, as did a number of other believers I reached out to this week. Thanks to you folks as well.
ReplyDeleteI listen to Glassworks at least once a week.
ReplyDeleteWill be driving to a cousin's funeral
Gringo