As difficult as it has been to sit with my friend as she cares for her son in his last days I have been a first hand witness to God's gracious provision. Her strength, stamina, resolve, faith and peace have been nothing short of a miracle.
She is caring for his needs almost around the clock getting up every two hours to administer medication so that his pain does not get ahead of them. She is helping him to the bathroom and helping him shower and feeding him as if he were her small child again. She talks to him like it was any other day, laughs with him, jokes with him and puts his heart at ease by keeping conversation light and breezy.
She has spent night after night in his hospital room before he came home; sleeping whatever way they could; in chairs or crammed together with her 76 year old sister on a small, vinyl, half moon shaped uncomfortable sofa - in a freezing cold room eating cold food out of bags.
I have yet to hear her complain and I have yet to see her break down.
God has blessed her with His strength in her weakest moments. Some may assume that her strength and stamina stems from adrenaline and I'm sure that plays a part but nothing but God could account for the peace and resolve bestowed on her in the wake of the worst situation any mother can imagine.
He has provided, like He did for me --family, friends, neighbors, professionals to love her, provide food and supplies, to sit with her for moral support, to help with her son's care,or to minister to his spiritual needs. God's people being the hands and feet of Jesus to help however she needs.
Speaking of which, I have never seen a family come together like her family has done during the last few weeks. Never. It is amazing to see the love and dedication that they have shown.
Her sister had just driven 8 hours to Jacksonville, FL when she got the news. She turned the car around without a minute of rest and drove 8 hours right back to be with her. She stayed at the hospital with Kathie every night she did. Her sister's friend offered to stay at the hospital one night and let them go home get a shower, a hot meal and sleep in a bed. He did not even know Kathie or her son. Her oldest son has been with them nonstop helping his brother with bathroom duties, clothes changing and just attending to his needs any way he could and sitting there as support for his mother. Her sister's children have every one been there. Her nieces staying the night over the weekend so she could sleep and not worry about his needs or medicine for one night. Her nephew coming every day and helping with his needs. And they do not live next door or even close. They live 50 or 60 miles away through Atlanta traffic. They all have families. They all have jobs. What an absolutely unheard of blessing. To me, that is what family should be. But so few are. It is refreshing and amazing to see.
We spent the day with them again today and it does not look like he will make it through the week. And while I am so sad for her still - I feel blessed to be able to be a part of ministering to her and having the unique opportunity to see God's strength in action and be a witness to the way her family has pulled together to be there for her like they have. Everyone should be so blessed.
I am humbled and awed. What a gift.
