So I did see my friend Grace off for her flight to her home and I suspect she has only a week or two left, if that. But it turned out to be a wonderful experience and right now I am sober as a judge even though it is already 5:30 pm US east coast time. A wonderful story has to be told to my MWO friends.
Grace in leaving said to pray for her through this "rough spot", and I asked her what rough spot meant to her. She said that it was "sort of crossing the River Styx and she really did not know what it would be like". I told her that I understood it to be a joyful experience and our friend Kathy who was there said that she understood that when doctors tried to revive some who were trying to cross, they fought coming back. Grace just said with a smile, "Is that right".
So then I told her that I had some of her jewelery with me and was going to give it to the pilot of the charter flight which was taking her home to Arkansas. She said with a sly smile, "oh give it to someone , I won't be needing it". I looked her in the eye and said "Now Grace, You are gonna wanna look good" and we both burst out laughing. And then.............she said quite seriously, "well, OK, better send it".
Now as she was being wheeled to the ambulance with her oxygen hose and IV trailing along I gave her my final hug and smiled and told her " Now you know in the overall scheme of things it won't be so long before I see you again, so save me a place". She said, Oh Matt, it will be a good place.
Grace and I always have sparred ---- score: Grace 10, Matt 0.
So I said "now Grace it doesn't have to be at the head table, just make sure it's at your table" And then this amazing 87 year old lady so frail and so clearly dying, looked at me and without missing a beat said , "OH, well you know, that WILL be the head tale". Those were the last words we spoke. When she pulled off in the ambulance, I was filled with joy. Her nephew told me that when she arrived home in Arkansas, she too was filled with joy. And she announced, Auntie Grace is here and this is where I need to be.
So the moral of the story is that there can be joy everywhere.
MWO is at the heart of my joy today because I am sure in my heart that had I not had the gift of your friendship and your many suggestions of help and support that right now I would be drunk. Thank you and God Bless, today is day 3:thanks:
Grace in leaving said to pray for her through this "rough spot", and I asked her what rough spot meant to her. She said that it was "sort of crossing the River Styx and she really did not know what it would be like". I told her that I understood it to be a joyful experience and our friend Kathy who was there said that she understood that when doctors tried to revive some who were trying to cross, they fought coming back. Grace just said with a smile, "Is that right".
So then I told her that I had some of her jewelery with me and was going to give it to the pilot of the charter flight which was taking her home to Arkansas. She said with a sly smile, "oh give it to someone , I won't be needing it". I looked her in the eye and said "Now Grace, You are gonna wanna look good" and we both burst out laughing. And then.............she said quite seriously, "well, OK, better send it".
Now as she was being wheeled to the ambulance with her oxygen hose and IV trailing along I gave her my final hug and smiled and told her " Now you know in the overall scheme of things it won't be so long before I see you again, so save me a place". She said, Oh Matt, it will be a good place.
Grace and I always have sparred ---- score: Grace 10, Matt 0.
So I said "now Grace it doesn't have to be at the head table, just make sure it's at your table" And then this amazing 87 year old lady so frail and so clearly dying, looked at me and without missing a beat said , "OH, well you know, that WILL be the head tale". Those were the last words we spoke. When she pulled off in the ambulance, I was filled with joy. Her nephew told me that when she arrived home in Arkansas, she too was filled with joy. And she announced, Auntie Grace is here and this is where I need to be.
So the moral of the story is that there can be joy everywhere.
MWO is at the heart of my joy today because I am sure in my heart that had I not had the gift of your friendship and your many suggestions of help and support that right now I would be drunk. Thank you and God Bless, today is day 3:thanks:
Comment