Soon after, this new baby is swaddled, held, touched, stroked, and held so very close. They have suddenly become a part of a family, community, and this world. Ahead of them is a life journey of being cared for, and caring for others, of choices, challenges, opportunities, and eventually for many once again being cared for by others in some way.
I happened to walk by a room where Anne (not her real name) lie in her bed alone, one could hear her rattled breathing in the hallway, and each attendant was aware that she was not going to recover from this state. Without hesitation I asked if I could go sing for her, and if hymns were appropriate. Within moments I was at her bedside singing and reading along to my CD "Hope for The Journey". A volunteer was stroking her hair, the Pastor came in to pray with her, the director came in to place cool clothes on her sweating brow. We were there comforting, touching, loving her through this difficult journey.
My mind was taken back to the hours of coaching and watching my daughter journey through labor and birth. And how this moment was so very much like that one of birth, on the other side of life, now comforting one into death. As we were singing "I'd Rather Have Jesus" Anne was having more difficulty, we remained calm and assured her of our presence, she turned to look into my eyes as I continued to sing gently to her. And then at the end of the song, she quietly and peacefully turned her head and breathed her last breath.
I am so very honored and blessed to have been there to witness Anne's final journey in this life. Her family would be arriving soon, to find their mother at peace and a letter from me detailing her final journey and how we comforted and stayed by her side, that she was never alone, and how many gathered in her room to be with her.
For me this journey was very close and personal as my own mother passed away just 7 months ago. I had just visited with her, and could see that she had changed significantly since my last visit. It was apparent that she had less than a few days left to live. I let her know that I would return shortly after her care conference to comfort her, sing to her and be with her. As I left the room she was looking up, and I thought to myself that she was looking at angels or heaven. Just a few minutes later while we were discussing her care and end of life issues, she passed away alone. I am thankful for the time I had with her just moments before her passing, but had I known how soon it might be, I would have stayed by her side. And so in some way being there for Anne's daughter gives me peace and comfort as I was there for her just as I would have for my own mother.
In between that first breath and the last is a life that may hold more information than one could fill a novel, or a moment that slipped away too fast. I have often pondered what legacy I would chose to leave behind, what if any difference I might make in the lives of others and how I could be a part of helping others through that journey towards the end of their life. And in fact prayed such a prayer just a few days before my encounter with Anne.
I am now inclined to consider life as Three chapters or journeys. One being the journey that leads to the miracle of birth, Two being the journey of ones life lived, and Three culminating in the journey of death, which for many is considered to be new life as one enters the kingdom of heaven. And for me this final chapter has become the Miracle of Death in the sense that witnessing one leave this physical life and moving into the presence of Jesus, is indeed a miracle to behold.
