Dear Readers,

What grabs your heart?

I couldn’t possibly name everything that grabs my heart. Good things and bad things pile up and make me notice them. Some are special enough to stop me in my tracks. One happened today.

I went to see my mother this afternoon. She is not well and is nearing the end of her earthly journey. Mother was sound asleep when I walked into her room. I straightened the family pictures and tidied her room a bit. I told her I was there, not wanting to startle her when I would touch her arm before holding her hand in mine.

I read Psalm 23 to her out of Mother’s own bible, the one with the hand sewn quilt-like cover she made long ago. I hoped maybe she could hear me. And then I prayed a different sort of prayer, one of blessing, love, and God being with her.

Mother was in a deep slumber, and she was resting peacefully. She looked serene and sweet. As I gazed at her face, I was struck by its softness, loveliness, more like she was in her younger years. Something about her, today, in a beautiful way, grabbed my heart.

I’m going to miss her when she’s gone.

I spoke with my former pastor yesterday. I mentioned my mother. He said he would pray that she would know peace during this time and be overshadowed by God’s presence. Pastor is a man of his word, and I know he prayed for her.

I think it is Pastor’s prayers that touched Mother today even though I pray for her almost every visit. Mother never awakened while I was with her this afternoon, but I felt a great tenderness as I looked at her.

Seeing Mother like that–with a gentle beauty, relaxed and at peace–was like a gift to my soul. Too often I get caught up in the worry, distress, and turmoil that comes with multiple E-R visits, rehab stays, and worrisome decline, but they are not the real story.

The real story is who she is.

My mother is a beautiful person and my soul knows it well.

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