I know you might feel that I am working over time in writing in this segment of our posts, but the bottom line is, I want to record every precious moment. Of course, our life continues to move on in other areas, (the dang laundry NEVER stops :) and as I feel necessary I will update in that regard also, but Mama is on the brain... SO, there ya have it...
Today, I loaded up all the kiddos to go visit Mom. As you can imagine Mom has quite the entourage of visitors and fans. The last few days she has been very alert. More alert than I have seen her in a month. When we got there today she had just finished a shower and was watching one of her favorite music videos, "The Gaither Vocal Band". Remember yesterday, when we talked about the healing power of music, it has never been more lived out than in the life of Mom. For a long time now, anything that involves music has had an eerily calming effect on Mama. Hence the reason she was watching/listening to one this afternoon when I got there. Taking four children into a nursing home can be, um.... quite the experience. But the staff has repeatedly told me to come and come often with the kids. "Do not hush them," they say. "The residence adore the sounds of small people talking, laughing, and yes! Even being naughty!" Such a wonderful atmosphere. Today, the kids hugged on their Grams, played hot potato with the staff, and of course found their way to some cookies.
Today, what we took away was the unforgettable moment when Mom had some clarity and repeated a phrase that she has said to each of them over and over again since their births, "Grammy loves you, Grammy loves you! Jesus loves you, Jesus loves you!"
Two of the clearest indications of who my Mom was/is/and for ever will be; a lover of family and a lover of Jesus.
People keep asking in such a genuine and sweet way, "What can we do?" Honestly, just make the steps however long, hard, and impossible they might be, to make peace and form deep relationships with your families. Don't hesitate to make that phone call, ask for forgiveness, initiate (even though you ALWAYS initiate), extend forgiveness, keep pursuing even though there is nothing in return, and love like you were dying!! If my Mom, who is literally going out of her mind, can find the words to communicate her love for her grandchildren and her Jesus, then by all means you have NO excuses!
Happy Loving,
~s
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