greetings!
i was holding jo ann's shoulder today when she died -- i was actually there at the moment her breathing stopped...
it was weird -- and disarming -- it got to me...
the monitor lines went flat...
the digital readouts went to 0...
her chest stopped moving...
i was amazed at how quickly her color changed to ash...
she was suddenly cold...
what a difference...
there is an amazing change in a body when the breath -- the spirit -- leaves...
live exits -- the result is death...
only a shell remains...
this was an intense five hour process...
the patient was VERY sick...
i had to wear a gown, gloves and a mask just to enter SICU...
a little spooky...
her family had decided to remove her vent -- they did not think they could be present for her death -- BUT, they did not want her to be alone...
i gave them my word -- i would stay by her side...
before the vent was pulled out -- we had a family prayer...
these were not religious types -- they were not even sure they believed in God, but Jesus didn't seem to mind -- he was present...
another Jesus sighting...
i shared the good news in the prayer -- for the patient -- for the family -- the Holy Spirit got the message across...
awesome!
the family was comforted -- they voiced peace -- they were OK -- they went home...
i settled in...
sitting...
waiting...
praying out loud...
quoting scripture as i could remember it...
even singing hymns [and NO -- my singing did NOT kill her...]...
several hours went by...
just jo ann and me...
and Jesus...
the med staff was surprised -- she was holding her own even after the life-support vent was removed...
and then she began to fade...
then the decline sped up...
quickly...
suddenly...
she was gone...
just Jesus and me left in the room...
jo ann had been received into the Father's arms...
she was finally home...
Jesus spoke to me about hope...
the hope of advent...
there is more to this life than this life...
hope now -- even greater hope later...
there really is a place called "home"...
a spiritual home where we will finally "belong"...
one day, we can really "go home"...
it was great to hear Jesus and "see" Jesus and feel Jesus...
he came...
as a helpless baby...
he will come...
as a ruling potentate...
he comes...
so many days in so many ways...
as leader and friend...
let's keep looking for him...
happy advent...
guy
maybe we will see Jesus tomorrow...
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