Thank you for this update on mom. Here is my message for her funeral or give it to the family.
LESSONS LEARNED BECAUSE OF MOM
There are many lessons learned because of Mom. While I was growing up I heard others in the ward ask questions of Mom. And mothers response was always full of such insight as to alter ones life by teaching a great yet simple truth. Here are some examples.
Question: "How do you divide your love between so many children?"
Mothers answer: "Love is not divided it is multiplied." Isn't that true. As we love others around us love grows. It really multiplies.
Question: "What child of all your children do you love the most?"
Mothers answer: "The one who is sick or needs me at the time." Another great truth taught by mom. When someone needs our help or love at a given moment in time that is who we devote our attention to. And we should put ourselves and our needs aside and look to the needs of others around us. This follows the teachings of the Savior.
Question ask by one of my peers while in grade school: "How come your mother lets you stay out after dark?" So I ask that question directly to my mother when I got home.
Mothers answer: "Because I know that I can trust you. If you do something wrong you will take away that trust. Then you won't be allowed to stay out after dark." What a wise mother. I always wanted to do what is right from then on so I would not loose my mothers trust and my freedom. That is an eternal truth. We gain freedom by doing what is right. We gain freedom by our obedience.
Question ask of me by a Priesthood Leader: "Do you know that your mother is and will be a Queen of Heaven?" He taught me how special she is and how blest I am to have her as my mother.
I will be eternally grateful to have been born of such goodly parents. And I will be eternally greatful for loving brothers and sisters. I am greatful for the blessing of a wonderful heritage. I am greatful for the prophet Joseph Smith. He is such a special man. We are all blest because of him and his faithfulness. I am greatful for the Lord Jesus Christ. I know he is the son of God. He died that we might live again. I know that he is the Redeemer of the world. May we focus on and live his gospel. Live every commandment. Not just the ones we choose. God's purpose is to bless us, but we are the ones that reject those blessings if we choose to follow other paths. I pray that I and all of mother and fathers posterity will continue on the path that leads to eternal life. May we make the changes in our individual lives that need to be made. May we remember the lessons we have learned because of mom. In the name of Jesus Christ . Amen
"gjholt@netzero.net"
Update!
Mother was transported to a regular long term skilled nursing facility today at 3:30 pm our time. She made the trip ok but was "VERY TIRED" after. She took a turn for the worse about an hour after she was admitted.
I need to go back a few days to bring you up to date. I prayed fervently Sat am that I would be guided and able to have a clear mind and concentrate on the temple session and receive help in making the right decision for mother. As you know I was struggling with three different options of where mother might be taken when she had to leave the hospice facility after 7 days. One being to take her back to her home and have family take turns. It would take at least 2 people standing a 24 hr 7 day watch to help with her needed care. Many were willing to help but needed to work around their working schedule. This would not be a very good option as I knew it would fall on me and Nancy when she got home. Neither one of us could physically take care of mothers needs. The 2nd option was to bring her here to my home. Then again it would take someone else to be here 24, 7 to help care for her needs. It would also be impractical and difficult for an unknown time period. The 3rd would be to admit her to a long term skilled nursing facility. When I went to the temple on Sat I had as I said prayed for help. During the session I worked at staying focused on the proceedings and did, however thoughts of the 3 options kept creeping into my mind and I was very unsettled. During the prayer part I and LaMar and Chris and Cathy and Christopher and Karen participated. It was during this time that I felt the love of the Savior envelope my whole body and the I knew what must be done. I felt such an abundance of love I can't begin to explain. I just knew it would be okay. After that the words went through my mind that mother needed to go to the nursing facility so she would be able to separate herself from her loving family and let the process of leaving this life take place. I also knew that dad, Leslie, her parents, brothers and MANY others are waiting anxiously for her to join them and they wonder what is taking her so long. They also wanted her to know that dying is a beautiful, peaceful experience and she was not to be afraid of it. Her Savior knew of her pain and was there also to greet her. The other 2 options left my mind and peace abided there. That is a brief explanation of what took place. I hope you understand that this was an experience that I will always cherish and it's hard for me to share all of it. I had the privilege of talking to mother about what was happening to her yesterday when she said to me "Janice, you are the only one who can get me out of here". I asked her where she wanted to go and she said she didn't know. I sat by her bedside and held her hand and the words came out of my mouth. I will try to tell you of that experience later. After I shed a few tears she told me that she loved me and not to cry for her she had had a good life. There is so much more that I would like to share with you but I need to go to bed. Suffice it to say that she has taken a turn for the worse and is dying. It probably won't be long now. I pray for her release. She is ready and is asking for Leslie and her parents to come and get her. I will try to call you when I see how she is in a day or two. Your prayers are helping us get through this. All is well with George and I. We here are all ready for her to leave us. Doug I would like you to write something from you to be read at her funeral. Hope you will have time that will not detract from your work there. We love you and the work you are doing. More later. Love, Janice
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