“Let all that you do be done in love.” 1 Cor 16:14 ESV

My mom loved everyone.

I am one of the few people who has flash memories of being an infant. I couldn’t have been more than 3 months old, and I remember looking up at my mom and thinking, “I am so glad she is my mom. She is so nice. Thank you God for giving me such a loving mom.”

I have also never met anyone who hated her. All the church people loved her. Her family loved her. Even the nurses at the nursing home where she lived out her final 12 years loved her. Her name should have been “Love”.

My mom was claustrophobic, and as a result, she hated planes. Still, when I immigrated in North America, she insisted getting into that tiny “box” of an airplane and on flying with my father to the other side of her world just to see me. When my dad passed away, she would still take the plane to see me and my family.

Unfortunately, my mom eventually developed Alzheimers. I found myself completely robbed of the mother I knew so well. Still I would call her everyday. Even though our conversation was limted to talk about the weather, it felt good to hear her voice, and though we didn’t get to see her often, during her 12 years of Alzheimers she always recognized me and my family. There’s no way she would ever forget us!

A few months ago, she lost her ability to speak. I still called her every day, and the nurses told me that when I called, her eyes would light up. Even then, she knew who I was.

A few weeks later she contracted an infection, and she couldn’t shake it off. Before we knew it, she found herself on her deathbed. We had to make flight arrangements and preparations to take care of work while we were away, and it was 4 days before we could leave. The nurses reminded her regularly that I was coming, and that Sunday when we arrived in her room, she recognized us immediately. Every twenty minutes she would smile. She was so happy!

The next day she began to decline. Her eyes glazed over and her breathing became shallow. That’s when I realized she had hung on until we arrived.

We got a phone call at 3:15 the following morning. My mom had only minutes of life left in her. We rushed to the nursing home. We talked to her about heaven, how beautiful it was and that Jesus was waiting for her. We told her we would join her there very soon. Then came the moment that her spirit was ready to leave. We encouraged her to follow the light. She died moments later, in total peace. She had reached the Lover of her soul.

I will miss her, but I know that she is happy. Her Alzheimers is gone now. All pain has disappeared. She can run and dance. She can talk and eat. She knows that one day we will join her, and she looks forward to that day.

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for giving me such a wonderful mom. I love You!

In His love,

Rob Chaffart