At Home

I am back in Fort Wayne. A couple of weeks ago, when Mark and I were here, I thought the next time I would be here would be for my Mom's funeral. On Monday, after speaking with my sister, I felt a strong need to come back here, to my childhood home, to be with my Mom and Dad again.

Mom doesn't need the physical care, she did before. She is in her bed downstairs and will not be leaving it again. What she does need is the emotional support which in many ways is harder to give and takes more our of you.

I am overwhelmed with the number of people who's lives she has touched so deeply. Visits from friends abound. Today a friend from nursing school is arriving. Later another friend from church is stopping by. Who knows who else will be here. Reading the e-mails to her, I am the one who gets choked up. She takes it in stride, drinking in the words which are more satisfying then water.

Last night and today she seems so much better. My sister Cindy mentioned that she thought it may be 7 - 10 days before she dies. But this morning, Mom mentioned that she sees her parents, Frank and Clara. Clara in her nice blue suit with the hat and Frank in his overalls and white shirt. They are calling her home. She feels a tap on her knee, some would call a spasm, but she said it is her parents, telling her it is time to come home.

I can only imagine the celebration when she arrives in heaven. The line will be long of those longing to greet her. It gives me comfort knowing that she will be there waiting.