Posted on 05/07/2009 12:23:33 PM PDT by NYer
On this third anniversary of his Mom's passing -- and with Mother's Day close at hand here in the States -- the "Chaplain to the Senate" Fr Milt Jordan recalls her last day here below:
The day my mother died I was a little more than upset that I had not been called ahead of time when there were clear signs that something unusual would happen. As I drove to the nursing home where she was, I kept saying to myself, "Why, why didn't she answer the phone calls the night before as I drove home from burying my closest priest friend in Philadelphia. I called her fifteen times as I drove south on I95. I just wanted to talk with her about the funeral of my friend.A couple days' in advance, here's to our Moms -- both those still among us and beyond.
When I arrived at the nursing center, I met with the nurse who told me the most incredible events that happened that day. Throughout the day my Mom went about the ladies on her floor "thanking them for being such wonderful people" and telling them "I won't be here tomorrow." She knew the nurse told me. It was so clear that she knew it would be her day to meet the Lord -- to tell him what she had been waiting to do for some years.
When I went to Mom's room where she was lying on her bed, I encountered nothing but peace. All I could do was thank God for the moment. I couldn't be sad. She had already met her God. All I could do was praise the Lord that Mom had such a wonderful day. The nurse told me that in mid-day they were talking and as she was leaving my Mom's room, with all the elegance in the world, my mother stood up -- not a usual event without help near the end -- and "hugged me so hard" as the nurse said and the said to the lady, "You have been so caring. I love you intensely. You made my life so much better. And what has happened to your face?" The nurse responded "Nothing Mrs. Jordan, just not wearing my glasses at the moment." Then Mom said to her: "Oh, that's not what I mean. You face is radiating beams of light and sparkle especially from your eyes." The nurse told me at that she had to run from the room, she knew what was happening. God was speaking to Mom through her.
I can never thank God enough that my Mom's last day on this earth was like that. Every time I pass flowers like that pictured above, I think of the gifts that God gave Mom and me. We used to leave the nursing home just to ride around the city to see the flowers. She loved blooming flowers. And how she loved to ride on 16th Street at this time of the year because it is abloom with praise to the Lord in the beauty of his creation.
And you? Do you stop and consider the many ways that you can thank God, that you can praise God? Just be simple and ordinary. There are so many ordinary moments each day that could be reasons for thanking and praising God.
With every flower, with every garden ... Thanks God ... and thanks Mom.
...and just as every mother is a blessing, so Mother Church provides the following text for liturgical use this weekend: Loving God, as a mother gives life and nourishment to her children, so you watch over your Church. Bless these women, that they may be strengthened as Christian mothers. Let the example of their faith and love shine forth. Grant that we, their sons and daughters, may honor them always with a spirit of profound respect.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
The sad thing is that so many young couples today are choosing not to have children. One of my co-workers, a practicing Baptist, said he and his wife would prefer a dog to a child. How pitiful! May God stir their hearts.
With an attitude like that, I'm sure it's the correct choice for all concerned. Especially the child.
Wow! Great story. And yes, it is sad that so many people choose to forego children, out of fear. We need to let go and let God. Trust God. He will reward you in ways you can’t imagine. Our children are the greatest blessing that my wife and I have.
A beautiful story NYer.
I just found out today my 82 year-old Mom has esophugal (sp) cancer. We are going tomorrow to get a cat scan to see if it has spread to other areas.
Please pray for us freeper friends. We have a wonderful Mom, and she has taught us all to love the Lord and life, all the small miracles overlooked everyday, like the flowers you mention.
She has taught her children compassion for others, to be generous with our love and time, and SO much more.
The coming weeks , and months, will be difficult.
“When I arrived at the nursing center, I met with the nurse who told me the most incredible events that happened that day. Throughout the day my Mom went about the ladies on her floor “thanking them for being such wonderful people” and telling them “I won’t be here tomorrow.”
My mom was dying of cancer and had gotten really bad off. She was EXTREMELY heavily medicated and when she would eventually sit up, she would sway on the side of the bed. I walked over to her and said “By Mama, see you tomorrow” and she said “You better call first, I think I have something to do”. She didn’t die that day technically, but she sank into a coma that she never recovered from and modern medicine is probably the only reason she didn’t die. That and my stepfather couldn’t let her go, but I don’t blame him, I couldn’t either. It’s amazing how you think either God or some miraculous doctor will swoop down in the final seconds of life and make something happen. Sometimes it does, most times it doesn’t. But you hang on because you just know that as soon as you let go, the miraculous drug will pump through the pike.
So sorry to hear this, Girl.
Continued prayers for your Mom!
Prayers for your Mom and for you!
You have freepmail.
I’m so sorry to hear about your mother’s esophageal cancer. My family went through the same kind with my Daddy. They have come a long way in cancer treatment in the last few years. Stay close to God and he will get you all through this. I’ll keep y’all in my prayers.
Prayers for your Mom and your family.
Thank you all for your prayers.
I haven’t answered before because I have been preoccupied. Found out this week Mom (82) has a tumor larger than a golf ball in her asophagus, and I am trying to help her regain her strength so she can face what’s ahead. Haven’t been home till today.
A cat scan she tool yesterday will tell us more, hopefully, not more bad news.
Sincerely, I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your prayers for her.
**When I arrived at the nursing center, I met with the nurse who told me the most incredible events that happened that day. Throughout the day my Mom went about the ladies on her floor “thanking them for being such wonderful people” and telling them “I won’t be here tomorrow.” She knew the nurse told me. It was so clear that she knew it would be her day to meet the Lord — to tell him what she had been waiting to do for some years.**
Wow!
No apologies needed.. I understand fully.
More prayers sent.
Logan’s Prayer Warriors...Please see #5....and please pray for girlangler’s Mom....
Thank you Salvation.
I join in urgent prayer for your mom!
Prayers for your dear Mom, girlangler.
God bless, strengthen, and be with her through the trying times ahead. Praying that the cancer is contained, that she receives exactly the treatment needed to rid her of that dread disease, and that her body responds positively toward restoration of good health.
Keeping y’all in prayer.
Praying
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