A moment in time that stamped my heart forever!
By raydene
@raydene (9871)
United States
December 10, 2007 10:06am CST
Many years ago, the year was 1972..I was 21 years old and it was spring in Las Vegas.
I got a frantic call from my Da. There was a ticket waiting for me and my small daughter at the airport to take me home hopefully to see my Ma before she passed.
I packed our bags and flew to NY.
I arrived in time to ride to the hosp with my Ma in the ambulance..
This was to be her last ride ever.She was dying..her kidneys were giving out.
Day after day we sat at the hospital, taking turns beside her bed then to the coffee shop and in the waiting room..
As the days turned into the month it took for Mom to go .... others visiting the hospital began to know our story. I talked to an elderly lady that I saw in the waiting room once in a while. On that final day this lady came in the waiting room..walked straight to me..leaned oven..kissed me on the forehead ..and squeezed something in my hand then walked away ..I have never seen her since! 2 seconds later a nurse came in and told us all to go to Ma's room. We stood and sat around her bed for her last hour of life and listened as she took a breath ...then a life span...then another breath until there were no more...As I stood there I remembered this thing in my hand..I opened my hand to find a silver chain with a silver circle hanging from it..through my tears I thought at first it was a medal but as I blinked I read the inscription
Serenity Prayer
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change
The courage to change the things I can and wisdom to know the difference.
As I waited for my mother to take her last breath in the I read and took comfort from this little circle in my hand..
Although I have never seen the lady again or even knew her name she will live in a special corner of my heart forever..I think she was an angel sent by God to remind me ......
4 people like this
5 responses
@weemam (13372)
•
10 Dec 07
I have not been on the site for ages , I came on today and your name caught my eye . I am so glad I read this , What a lovely story , I am so glad you were with your Mum when she passed away , she would have lnown you were there and she knew how much you loved her xxx
4 people like this
@raydene (9871)
• United States
10 Dec 07
Darlin Sis, I loved her and love her still and to this day many years later I miss her.. Some days I would give my right arm to talk to her one more time..to have one more hug..to see one more smile...I didn't really know her when I was an adult..I feel cheated sometimes..but I was blessed with a nice step-mother but it was not the same...
Love u tons Sweets
xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
2 people like this
@abbey19 (3106)
• Gold Coast, Australia
11 Dec 07
Raydene, that really touched my heart and brought a tear to my eye. That lady must have been an angel in disguise - her action of giving you the silver chain and silver circle with that beautifully worded inscription, carried you through your loss, giving you strength.
it's the small things that count - and this was surely one of them, because you will never forget her.
Thanks for sharing that with us.
@biggerb (2024)
• India
11 Dec 07
There say that love works in varied and invicible ways.it can crop up when you least expect it,from a completely unlikely source.it can touch you with tenderness and transform your life forever.I guess this lady came like an Angel to give you the comfort you needed through this prayer."The key to immortality is first living a life worth remembering" Your sweet memories of your loving mother is a comfort.I am glad you were beside her when she breathed her last breath.
@raydene (9871)
• United States
27 Jan 08
So am I Sweets..
When the lilacs first bloom and I get a wiff of them on the wind my throat will tighten and the tears will flow..They were Ma's favorite..She would stand near the open front door on a spring day and say" Aww smell what God has sent us on the wind."
xoxoxoxo
@mummymo (23706)
•
27 Jan 08
An Angel true enough! I remember you telling me about this before and I think God knew you would need something to keep you strong and that is why you were visited by this Angel - I am so glad you had this when you needed it and pray you will always have an angel within touching distance! xxxx
1 person likes this
@faith210 (11224)
• Philippines
11 Dec 07
My dearest raydene...I get emotional when I read stories about mothers. I lost my mom too and that Serenity prayer was one of the prayers I have whispered over and over again as I watched my mom took her last breath. It is one of the prayers that comforted me and given me the stength, although at that time, I was numb and weak. It is still the prayer I whisper each time I get so overwhelmed with trials and sufferings. I believe that lady is an angel sent by God and deep in my heart I believe that we are all loved and cared by Him inspite of all the pain that we have in our hearts. I do believe that lady was an angel sent by God to remind you to put your faith in Him amidst the pain you have. Take care my friend and have a beautiful day. :)
2 people like this
@faith210 (11224)
• Philippines
12 Dec 07
Hi raydene! You are right my friend! And no matter how old I am right now, everytime I am suffering I still wish my mom will kiss my pain away. But I guess, somehow we are lucky because even for a short time, we have known what it is to have a mother and feel a mother's love..for that I am very thankful. Take care and have a nice day my dear friend! Merry Christmas! :)
1 person likes this
