Here are the things that were posted by two of my sisters in reply to my blog. Thank you all for reading about my mother and the thoughts that have been circling around in my brain.




Mommy met Jesus tonight (Christmas Eve). ALL so clearly orchestrated by God - as you could see from Christine's perspective HERE. I'm the sister in Texas that Christine was coming to visit from Wisconsin. There are sooo many more "coincidences" that I could add, but, if you have read this far in my blog - including Christine's - you don't need my perspective to see God's hand in ALL of this.




I am not usually one to spread news like this - in fact YOU are the first one I've told other than family. But, this is a story that needs to be told - especially to those who need the reminder and/or assurance that God is sovereign and that he cares about the smallest details of our lives, and that Jesus is preparing a place for those who love him. My prayer for you, is that you are HIS.




Leila was with Mom when she went to meet Jesus. Leila & her husband - just recently left their jobs, son and friends in Wichita, Kansas to be near their 1st grandchild in Michigan. So Leila was within 3 hours of Mom, instead of 12 hours. That is a whole nother story of how God orchestrates and guides our lives - far beyond what we understand, if we allow Him to.




Another important note is that DAD has Alzheimer's - and has been in a nursing home for 5 years - and Mom has visited him everyday, although we sometime questioned WHY - he didn't seem to even know who she was or that she was even there. If you knew my Mom you'd believe as we all do - that it was just her stubbornness and need to control EVERYTHING :)!




Here are Leila's comments:




I've modified the obit some more--Mom didn't die, she went to be with Jesus, because "whoever believes in Me will never die."





I had recited John 14 to Mom when she was on the ventilator, reminding her that Jesus must have her place prepared, because he was coming to get her. I figure she's probably giving Him advice now about Dad's place, and all of ours--to be sure they're done right. (Maybe that's what I'll share at the service.)




I tried to comment on your blog, Christine, but I don't have time to set up an account--don't really understand how, so I'm attaching my "response blog." Once I got started, I didn't know where to stop--like talking. I wanted all of you to know this about my visit with Dad, too.




Just a clarification--because that's one of my "gifts"--Mom was also with us at Thanksgiving. Another gift from God was the fact that Mom recovered on her own from "fatal V-Tach arrhythmia," as the ICU Nurse, Rachel, so aptly explained to us. The ICU Staff were all "mesmerized" by her medical process. I learned later that she had "awakened" on her own after the original episode. Our son-in-law, who is a PA in ICU states that he's never seen anyone with any brain function after that length of V-tach episodes, because during those, there is no blood flowing to the brain.





I could/should write my own blog--or at least journal for my own wellness; I have had the experience of witnessing "end-of-life" episodes with several families over the past 14 years. Never have I witnessed anyone becoming lucid and being able to communicate at the end. It was like a TV Christmas movie--very unrealistic, but ever precious. I thank God that He prepared me for this experience; placed me within reach geographically to be there with Mom, and that I could get her answer, "Yes" when I asked if she was ready to leave this life.




I went to see Dad at noon after Mom had gone to Jesus; I felt it was important that he be informed whether he understood or not. He looked at me when I sat down next to him, and then closed his eyes (I think this is his way of hiding when he doesn’t know how to deal with what’s happening around him.) I told the CNA who was getting people ready for lunch about Mom’s passing. She, of course, was shocked and expressed her condolences—then she evidently ran to pass the word to the rest of the staff. Another staff member who had been in the activity room returned and said across the room, “Rita? You said Rita died?” When Dad heard Mom’s name, his eyes popped open wide and he looked toward the lady who had said this. While he was engaged, I told him, “Mom went to be with Jesus. She won’t be able to come visit you anymore.” He didn’t show any indication of understanding what I had said, which didn’t surprise me. As we sat there, he began to hum, so I reminded him that it was Christmas Eve, and that he used to hold Christmas Eve candlelight services and we always sang Silent Night. I began to sing, as much as my tears would allow, and he hummed with me. I’ve tried singing to him before in an effort to connect, and he has never before responded. As we sat there, a radio was playing Christmas music, and “Rudolph” played. I started singing along, and Dad again engaged and nodded his head in time with the music, smiling. I helped him eat lunch, and then Mike and I took him for a walk down the hall. We “caroled” a little as we went. Dad seemed to enjoy that.




This is what one of the staff members posted for Christine in response to her blog about the whole experience:

Beautiful Blog Christine . I will miss your mother coming up to see Andy everyday . I can tell you all Andy kept saying Rita is gone . My heart ached for him. I told him she will be watching over you in heaven. He said " yes she will." He was fine with that comment. My heart goes out to you and your families. She will be missed at Rock Haven. She was a wonderful lady, she was like 2nd family to most of us at Rock Haven. She would kiss him goodnight and always say "going home see you tomorrow I love you ." Andy would always smile back at her.

Mom knows God's amazing love in a clear way now, whereas, with all the counting of blessings that we're doing, we only "see through a glass, dimly." God is good--ALL THE TIME! Praise His holy Name!




All this to just say!




God is Good!