Mother's Day

I just got back from another trip to Spokane and Post Falls to see my aging parents. I need to post about last night as my brother Bob and I were talking with my Mom, 82 years old and dealing with Alzheimer's Disease.

Bob, who had returned to the States weeks ago from a 15-month tour of duty in Iraq, was very tired from lack of sleep and traveling. He listened while holding her hand. I read a few Psalms from her Bible. I think Psalm 100, Psalm 51, and also the priestly blessing in Numbers 6.

We also reminisced about where we grew up. I don't know why as a kid I wanted to leave. It was great. Nice yards with a creek running in the back yard. A big vegetable garden. A few acres to raise some animals and a hay field across the road. I'm sure I'm making it sound better than what it was with all the weeding, lawn mowing, fence fixing and other chores, you know.

As I was reading the Bible she said in a sing-song voice, "But we'll all be together when we die..." She said it was something that popped into her mind while reading the Bible. I'm now sure if she meant it was from her childhood or it came to mind just now. She thought a little more and said there are other verses but she couldn't remember them. She thought it was something like, "Don't be discouraged when the family moves away, but we'll all be together when we die." I was so glad to be next to her with an arm around her letting her know it's ok while she wept.

I don't have any analogy or lesson from all this but how hard it is to be away. The blessing in Numbers 6 is really great and you should read it if you never have before.

From Numbers 6:22-26
The LORD said to Moses, "Tell Aaron and his sons, 'This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:

"The LORD bless you
and keep you;

The LORD make his face shine upon you
and be gracious to you;

The LORD turn his face toward you
and give you peace."