The Trip Home

I just came back last night from visiting my parents in Indiana. It was as always bittersweet. I loved seeing Mom and Dad, but at the same time, it was difficult knowing that our time together was limited. As I mentioned in a previous post my Mom is dying of ALS. I have been going down to see them once a month since January and stay for four or five days. Each time, she is a weaker, and has lost more motor control. The routine has changed and it takes a day or two to adjust.

The one thing that doesn't change is her and my Dad's deep abiding faith. Both of them are able to laugh over the small indignities that come with caring for an invalid. Yet, even as I type the word, I hesitated to use that word, because it doesn't fit, especially when I looked it up in Thesarus.com for an alternative

Main Entry:	invalid
Part of Speech:	adjective
Definition:	sickly
Synonyms:	ailing, bedridden, below par, debilitated, disabled, down, feeble, frail, ill, infirm, laid low, on the sick list, out of action, peaked, poorly, run-down, sick, weak
Antonyms:	healthy, well

Well, it does fit physically. But from a emotional and spiritual side she is definitely the picture of health. In fact, she mentioned on Friday, that people have a hard time realizing how ill she really is because she looks so good. She laughs a lot, and truly takes joy in seeing the parade of people that come through the house. I was amazed at not only her attitude but she seems to have a glow about her. I think it is because everyday brings her closer to the day she will be totally free of her earthly body and with Jesus in heaven.

We don't know what will happen in the next couple of months, what pain and struggles she may endure. But I do know that she will continue to accept it as she has before as the disease slowly diables another muscle in her body. She is holding on to God's promise of setting a place for her in heaven. Her glow comes from that antipation of the reunion she will have with all of those who have gone before. She is looking forward to hearing Christ's voce saying "Well done, fine and loving servent, welcome home." It is something that we are all looking forward for her. We don't want to lose her, but know she is going somewhere far better. And it is just one more thing we have to look forward to in the future.