This morning I prayed a 96 year old woman into her next life. I midwifed her dying. The room was so sterile, so empty, and the other priest, the woman's daughter and her friend stayed so far from the bed. I just walked up to her and touched her - stroked her hair and forehead... and as I asked God to receive her, she died. I don't remember clearly what I said - I certainly wasn't prepared for her to die 'under my hand' - I might have chosen my words more carefully. Thank God the Spirit prays for us when we don't know what to say.
As I reflected on the experience later it came to me that midwives assist the passage from one state of life to another... into life in this world, on to life in the next world. I too am a midwife. And like birth, some deaths are easy, natural and peaceful, and others are more stressful. This was so easy, so gentle - one last breath. What a gift!
And then, in the way that I am discovering Fridays can be such a microcosm of life in all its fullness, I watched 2 lively passionate interviews on TV (while my car was being serviced), I sat and listened to an 85-year old trying to figure out how to live what remains of her life after she is released from hospital (and translated her doctor's questions for her from French), and I attended the vernissage of an exhibit by a childhood-friend-become-potter-of-reknown called 'Veritas' ... in search of Truth! Isn't that what it's all about? Every day, as I stay alive and awake in each moment, develops my Truth - helps me refine my Truth and learn more about what is Truth for others. It is complex, and deep, and surprising, and changing ... my unique essence - and yours!
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What a beautiful posting, Fran. I had a similar cherished experience in September. After Ted and Katharine's beautiful wedding on Lake Ontario we continued on to Virginia to visit my mother. While there we visited her very close sister in the nursing home. And with my mother, sister, cousin and I standing close around her, singing, praying, all held together in love, my dear aunt died. One friend said she thought my aunt was waiting for us to be there. I felt so blessed. And just like the BAS prayer "may they be even closer to each other now that she is gone" - it was as tho she arranged this powerful gift for us.
I'm glad to hear of some of your experiences in ministry. Very glad for you! And those you serve.
Love,
Elizabeth
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