My Mom

Mom was a resident of a retirement home for about two years before she moved into a nursing home. She was very weak and sick, and finally passed away from kidney failure and other problems on Thursday, August 10, 2000. The residents and staff at the retirement home she had lived in for those two years had been so good and kind to my mother, and I am grateful for all of their patience and love.

In case anybody is wondering where my mom went, I believe without a doubt that she went straight to Heaven. She used to go to Roberta Brown's weekly Bible Study, when she had the strength and presence of mind to do so. In recent months she could not go; but Roberta was at her bedside on the Sunday night before she died, and she prayed with my mother to trust in her Messiah to bring her safely to Heaven. Roberta's words of comfort were the last Mom heard and understood on this Earth. Roberta said Mom was smiling from ear to ear and looking radiant, after the prayer.

In the days following, my mother was put on oxygen and pain medication. I was there and held her hand and hugged her a lot. She had always been one of those people who just would not let people love her or get close to her; but during those last days she seemed so close, so tender, so lovable. Her last words were, "I love you;" her last breath was calm and easy. One minute she was breathing quietly, and the next minute she simply was not. There was no agonizing struggle; her face became serene and peaceful.

It could be said about my mother: She had a great heart, and "She loved much" -- but she was not loved by others much. In my heart, I believe it could also also be said about her, "...of whom the world was not worthy." Those who knew her could only recall her faults, yet it was they who had the biggest fault -- of not showing TLC, of not showing love despite the tough veneer that seemed to surround her; of not forgiving seventy times seven.

My father was a great man, but his greatest asset was in his devotion to my mother, no matter what, till the end. I used to think he was weak, but now I know he was strong. When I remember Dad as a father, I think of the The Ten Commandments, Judgment, and the Letter of the Law; but when I remember Mother, I think of The Love of God and His Great Grace.

But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly;
and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter;
whose praise is not of men, but of God.
(Rom 2:29 KJV)

But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held;
that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
(Rom 7:6 KJV)

Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves;
but our sufficiency is of God;
Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament;
not of the letter, but of the spirit:
for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
(2 Cor 3:5-6 KJV)

I thank God for sending my sweet angelic friend, Roberta, to Mom's bedside at the moment she needed her the most; for allowing my mother's very gentle passing; and for taking Mom to Heaven, where she would at last get that special Mansion she had always longed for ...just over the hilltop. Little did she know that Jesus was the One who would lead her to that special mansion she had longed for! ...(RSS,_August_11,_2000)

He that hears my word, and believes [trusts]...

"Tisha B'Av" My mother died on Tisha B'Av - 9th day of Av - 5760, a national day of mourning on the Hebrew calendar. This holy day is the anniversary of the destruction of the first and second Temples in Jerusalem, and many other sad events in Israel's history.

That Special Mansion... "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." (John 14:1-3) I've Got a Mansion, Just Over the Hilltop Words & Music By: Ira Stamphill I'm satisfied with just a cottage below, A little silver and a little gold; But in that city where the ransomed will shine, I want a gold one that's silver lined. I've got a mansion just over the hilltop In that bright land where we'll never grow old; And some day yonder we will never more wander, But walk on streets that are purest gold. Though often tempted, tormented, and tested, And like the prophet my pillow's a stone; And though I find here no permanent dwelling, I know He'll give me a mansion my own. I've got a mansion just over the hilltop, In that bright land where we'll never grow old; And some day yonder we will never more wander, But walk on streets that are purest gold. Don't think me poor or deserted or lonely; I'm not discouraged I'm heaven bound. I'm but a pilgrim in search of the city; I want a mansion, a harp and a crown. I've got a mansion just over the hilltop, In that bright land where we'll never grow old; And some day yonder we will never more wander, But walk on streets that are purest gold.

<BGSOUND SRC="precious_gui.mid" autostart="true" loop="2"> Precious Memories

"My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck. When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee. For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:" (Proverbs_6:20-23)

Dedicated on: August 10, 2000 In Loving Memory of My Mother, 1/13/1913 - 8/10/2000 Psa.113:7-9

Dedicated on: September 26, 1995 In Loving Memory of My Father, 4/11/1917 - 9/26/1995 Deu.6:4-9

"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates." (Deuteronomy_6:4-9)

"Of Good Angels" by John Wesley

Some Java:

Whosoever believes [trusts]...

The Mourner's Prayer Glorified and sanctified be God's Great Name throughout the world which He has created according to His will. May He establish His kingdom in your lifetime and during your days, and within the life of the entire House of Israel, speedily and soon; and say, Amen. May His Great Name be blessed forever and to all eternity. Blessed and praised, glorified and exalted, extolled and honored, adored and lauded be the Name of the Holy One, blessed be He, beyond all the blessings and hymns, praises and consolations that are ever spoken in the world; and say, Amen. May there be abundant peace from heaven, and life, for us and for all Israel; and say, Amen. He who creates peace in His celestial heights, may He create peace for us and for all Israel; and say, Amen. "Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly." Job 1:20-22

Related Links:

The Death of the Christian by Charles Spurgeon

The Thief on the Cross next to Jesus

In Memory of My Mom

Missionary Friend

Reflections

Happiness is a Choice

Missing Heaven by 18 Inches

---

Clipart watercolors came from a CD purchased from: World Mission Collection