Death With Dignity

In the Catholic tradition, St. Joseph is known as the patron saint of a "Happy Death", because  it is said that he died in the arms of Jesus and Mary. Although my dear Mother-in-law was not a Catholic, Good St. Joe must have been praying for her because her recent death was beautiful in so many ways. Mom had been incredibly active and enjoying a full life which included lunch with her friends at the Senior Center 4 days a week. While boarding the bus to come home from the center last week, she felt short of breath and faint. She was admitted to the hospital, and the next day she was told by her doctor of 9 years that she had a life threatening injury to her heart and that she would not be able to survive it. Mom took this news like a brave soldier and showed us all in the next six days what it looks like to die with grace and courage. Her doctor is to be commended for the gentle honesty that he used in speaking to Mom and to all of us. He prepared us for the worst and we took him seriously. He hugged Mom and  was most compassionate with whatever she needed or wanted.When she told him that she loved him (because she did) he  responded that he loved her too.That's what I call great health CARE.
          Mom spent the next few days in the hospital getting great care.What a wonderful surprise and tremendous comfort it was to her to have her only daughter, and her friend  arrive by plane from Arizona 24 hours after Mom received her diagnosis. She spent time with them and her sons  in deep heart to heart talks as well as with her daughters-in-law and grandchildren.She talked and talked some more, telling the stories we have known and loved. She shared her love and memories with each person individually. She laughed a lot.She enjoyed every minute of it despite the discomfort.She expressed forgiveness to anyone who had ever hurt her. She said " I have no resentments and no regrets".She was not afraid. She continually expressed how good her God had been to her and KNEW that she was a blessed woman. She called on the name of Jesus the Lord.
          After a few days she came home to her own apartment with the care of her daughter and dear friend. She then received visitors who were close friends,neighbors and family. Two days after being at home and still able to walk to the restroom and to sit at the kitchen table, she died in her chair holding the hands of her daughter and friend. There was no ambulance to be called- just gentle peacefulness to be spent with her as her spirit left her body for a better place, please God. The peaceful way in which death came to her seems like a gift of grace from a very merciful God.
           Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual Light shine upon her. May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.