It's been almost five years since my fathers death. And just a couple weeks ago, our dear blog friend Colleen lost her brother. She stated once in her blog that she hoped her brother heard what she said to him, and I want to reassure her, and all others who spoke to a loved one before they passed, that he and they, did. I know, because when Dad died, members of our family went in to speak to him individually. After everyone finished, Mom went in to spend his last moments with him in private, and spoke into my fathers ear. As learned in hospice, hearing is the last sense to leave. This is how Mom spent those final moments.
She talked to Dad about the special moments they spent together. One thing they did in the evenings was sit on the swing overlooking his gardens, his pride and joy, and discuss the days events. Mom told Dad when he reaches Heaven, to build a special swing so they could once again sit together when she too arrives. After saying her good-byes, Mom recited the Apostles Creed, and the Lord's Prayer to him. When finished, she spoke to him and our God, saying, "Father, now let your servant depart in peace." It was at that moment, with my mother's permission, my father took his last breath, and left for Home.
So yes, Colleen, your brother heard every word you said. And took those words of love with him.
In the hospice care booklet, is this prose by Henry VanDyke. It brought much comfort to our family, as I hope it does you, Colleen, and all who have lost a loved one.
"I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.
Then someone at my side says: “There, she is gone!”
“Gone where?”
Gone from my sight. That is all.
Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at the moment when someone at my side says: “There, she is gone!” there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout:
“Here she comes!”
And that is dying."
Henry Van Dyke
Then someone at my side says: “There, she is gone!”
“Gone where?”
Gone from my sight. That is all.
Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at the moment when someone at my side says: “There, she is gone!” there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout:
“Here she comes!”
And that is dying."
Henry Van Dyke
God Bless All of You,
Laurie
