Buried Treasure

When I enter my house, I shall find rest with her, for companionship with her has no bitterness, and life with her has no pain. – Wisdom 8:16

As Mom’s life was fading, we kept vigil by her bedside. Adjacent to Mom’s hospital bed sat the king-sized bed, which allowed me to rest comfortably overnight.

During the day, Mom’s faithful aide was present and hospice staff sifted in and out – the nurse, social worker, hospice aide, chaplain. There was a grief counselor on call, who promised availability for an entire year after Mom died.

With a tiny syringe, we administered medication and water, squeezing them into the corner of Mom’s mouth. I could hear her swallow the liquid. Also given were strong painkillers to ease her moments of agitation and restlessness.

In the afternoon came a lull as Mom slept. Feeling weary, I stretched out beneath the bedspread of the king-sized bed and closed my eyes.

My daughter entered the room and sat quietly at the bedside of her beloved “Gigi.” After a time, she approached the king-sized bed and lifted the bedspread. Then, my daughter climbed in beside me. We spoke not, but just lay beneath the cover, our mutual grief providing a blanket of comfort and support. She remained there with me for an hour or more as I recalled times she’d spent as a child with Gigi – playing, painting, eating popcorn, and for six months as a teenager, living in one of the bedrooms here. Deep within all of us, gentle transitions were taking place.

Thank you, Lord, that amidst the loss of a loved one there can be relational gain.

Reflect: Think of your loved one’s family members, whether they live near or far. If there is any discord, pray for healing.

The above selection is Entry #51 in Part V: The Final Season of Minding Mom: A Caregiver’s Devotional Story by Lisa Livezey (© 2024, En Route Books and Media)

Minding Mom: A Caregiver’s Devotional Story by Lisa Livezey | En Route Books and Media

Featured Image: (photo courtesy of Bronwyn Livezey)