My sister reminded me three days ago that two years ago she had put Nano on a plane bound for Toronto.  It was just before Thanksgiving weekend and there was much excitement.  Nano loved to visit me and mine.  She loved to organize and pack just the right clothing for the different activities we would plan for ourselves.  Nano has always dressed beautifully.  Even back when she sewed all of her clothes, they were lovely.  Even when she didn’t have “two dimes to rub together” she spent the time necessary to make what she could out of what she had and the result was

Thankfulness and that made her Lovely.

That time, two years ago, was the last, that

she came to my house, sat at my table, visited my cottage, rode in my car, enjoyed Thanksgiving with me.

We celebrated her birthday, her ninety second birthday and we had a party and even though she had no friends there, My friends came.  Lot’s of them.  My friends came to help celebrate my mother’s birthday and we were Thankful,

for Friends.

Mothering and caring is the gift God gave her and it has been sitting in the deepest place of her heart since the day her heart began to beat.  This Almost 94 year old has loved us

completely.  It isn’t Mother’s day but since it is Thanksgiving Day and she will not be here for Mother’s Day next, I am thinking about being Thankful for my Mother.

She breathes.  I can tell because of the rise and fall of her chest and the slight pumping of the artery in her neck.  Her body is there and her heart pumps,

nevertheless

my mother is leaving us, one breath at a time.

There’s a book just inside the door of this building, this provision of God.  We sign in every time we arrive and sign out when we leave.  There are people to greet us and to give us an update on what to expect when we cross the threshold of room #4.  Today Tanya said,

“I need to tell you that there is a change.  Her breathing is more laboured and we got close to be sure she was still breathing.  It wasn’t that I felt I needed to call and tell you to come, but…”  I told her I understand and then

“Last night, as we were tucking her in she told us that her kids are wonderful and said we should tell you”.  I smiled and thanked her and came here.  I bent low and said “I love you mom” and she whispered in that slurred voice we now expect, “iloveyou”

and I thought I would tell you about it.

You see,

we are waiting here,

for death.

It isn’t fun or enjoyable and it isn’t going away.  Death is coming and I’m sitting here watching.  It won’t be long before it has done it’s work and we will say

It is finished.

My mother and I have said so many “see you laters” to each other.  This one is going to be different.  Later is a long way off I expect, although, only Father God, maker of time, knows for sure.

This “See you Later” will be quite final and we are ready.

Final

Finally

Finalized

Finished

Our weeping will be for only a moment because this one leaving us has lived well.  She has run the race, fought the fight and as she said to me a while back

“I have no regrets”.  What a gift, to us her little ones.  She is leaving to go to her Forever Home.  Even so, it’s hard for her to go.  These last weeks have been hard for her.  She would like to stay here with us, enjoy life with us and she knows she can’t.  It’s time.

We will see her there

Later

and it is with a Thankful Heart on this Thanksgiving Day that I can watch Death do it’s work.  God is stronger and better and greater and more powerful and

very soon

our mother is going to see the King.

She will leave this broken body behind and in but a blink, a wheezing intake of breath, she will be

Home and with the one who made her.

My heart is heavy and His peace is great.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.  Col;3:15

It’s Thanksgiving Day and Death will not rob me of a Thankful Heart.