My Mother, Margaret Smith, died the evening of May 5, 2020. She would have celebrated her 102nd birthday in September. Mom lived at Northwood Manor, Halifax, the long term home where 331 residents and staff have suffered the contagion of COVID 19. Forty persons have died of it including my Mother.
COVID 19 statistics demand our attention for many reasons, some positive, including the making of us into compassionate human beings. Otherwise, my dear Mother… my Mother becomes (only) a flat faceless statistic that is too easily dismissed and left unrecognized as a member of someone’s family, my family – who has been a Mother to me and many others as a ‘grand’ and ‘great’ Mother.
Mom died peacefully on Tuesday night but not in the company of a family member. My sister, Joan, arrived at Mom’s bedside minutes after Mom’s last breath. Such is life during this pandemic when many presumed ‘essential’ life details are lost in the shuffle of health crisis situations.
Joan did stay with Mom for a spell and so helped her four brothers say good bye. She, me and my brothers have only words of praise for persons who honoured and served Margaret Smith with dignity throughout her illness.
My grief is deep yet blessed. I’ve known moments of great intimacy with God mixed with tears. God’s simple word is spoken too deep for words, yet it is one of unconditioned love.
I know with absolute certainty that God provides a spacious eternal place in His heart for Margaret Smith, Mother… How could this be otherwise when my Mother’s way of life always made space for God?
I’ve another prayer image to share… I prayed after my brother Ken called to say Mom died. Soon my heart became still as an image appeared in my mind’s eye. There centred before me is Mom with Dad (who is deceased 39 years) hand in hand, offering their radiant, loving smile to me, my family and to the entire world.
My Dad whose first and only love ‘is’ Margaret Smith, is beyond excited to be reunited with Mom. I am God’s witness.
This unfading prayer image is very real and strongly lodged in my heart. It is God’s gift for me to share with all of you!
I am deeply saddened but more so alive with gratitude, joy, and hopeful consolation. It is a consolation of my broken heart opened to love more deeply in God’s service.
+Bless the Lord. Thanks be to God.