As a Caregiver, I could not think of her as simply another Hospice patient for Nancy Sue was my sister-in-Christ and a dear friend who had become a life-giving mentor to me. What an honor and privilege it was to now be a part of her care team in her final weeks and days on this earth!
Nancy Sue was a warrior – a consistent and powerful prayer warrior. She was a caring Mom and Grandmother who tirelessly prayed for and sowed into the lives of her children and grandchildren. A gifted musician and a lover of hymns. It was this love of hymns and willingness to play them for me anytime that initially drew me to her some nine years ago.
In the hours that I sat with her and tended to her, I thought often of the snippets of her life that she had shared with me. She spoke often of God’s provision and faithfulness when she found herself alone with three daughters to raise. How He provided needed income through a good job that she didn’t even know she could do! A strong woman who carefully ruled and tended all things that God sent her way. Responsible, caring and committed. A woman who walked with God as she clung to His promises and prayed His Word.
This was also a woman who did not feel ready or happy about being put on Hospice Care. I clearly remember several years ago attending a Woman’s Group meeting where Nancy Sue (in her early 80’s at this point) shared how she still had much to do in order to leave a legacy for her children and grandchildren. This is who she was, burdened with others, especially her own, feeling so much love and obligation to pray every one of them into the Kingdom.
Yet, like every one of us, Nancy Sue’s earthly body was not meant to last forever. In fact, hers was being silently ravaged by disease. On the morning of September 25th I was sitting with my dear friend who, by this time, appeared to be sleeping almost round the clock and, for the most part, was now unresponsive. Hospice arrived and between the nurse, daughter (Heather), and myself, we were carefully tending to Nancy Sue – bathing, massaging, repositioning – doing whatever we could to manage her increasing pain. This took a bit of time and we noticed at some point that she had opened one eye and was looking around at us. Heather spoke to her for a bit before she quickly closed that eye again. Then, as we went to reposition her onto her back, something had changed, and the Nurse spoke quietly, “I think she’s gone.” It took a few minutes to confirm that, in fact, all we had left was Nancy Sue’s physical body – for her spirit, her soul, and yes, even her life – had moved on.
As I later thought about the day’s events and the point where she opened her eye as we tended to her; I could almost hear her say, “Ok, girls, just go ahead and do what you have to do, but I just heard my name being called from the other side and I’m ready to go.” And even as she struggled to get away from us and our gentle hands, I imagined that she was already headed for glory surrounded by a Heavenly host leading her along. In response to these thoughts and images, my heart began to sing the words to an old hymn which suddenly seemed so appropriate:
Just think of stepping on shore, and finding it Heaven Of touching a hand, and finding it God’s Of breathing new air, and finding it celestial Of waking up in glory… and finding it Home!
(from Finally Home by Don Wrytzen & L.E. Singer – 1971)
For even as Nancy Sue journeyed with Jesus here on earth, she is now on a journey with Him in Heaven. Finally Home with her Savior – forever in eternity – a place where there is no more pain or disease! Hallelujah!