The day Mama went to be with the Lord

...During the last minute of her life she looked at me with clarity in her eyes for the first time in three years. I know she knew me. She recognized my military uniform too. She smiled. Then she raised her head from her pillow and with all of the physical power left in her body she blew her final breath into my nostrils. She rested her head and closed her eyes.

"Mama", I said. "Mama! She's gone!" I cried. As I wept, I told her, "I'll see you soon".

 Mother, you're in heaven

 And soon I will be there.

 I'll see your smiling face again

 And hear that happy belly laugh.

 You and daddy are waiting for me

While you're seated at the foot of the throne.

Your legacy of evangelism

 Still lives on.

As I held her in my arms, I heard sniffles behind me. I was not aware of the presence of the nurses and doctors at the foot of the bed who had been crying. They knew it was a difficult decision for me to pull the plug.

 I ask them, "Did you see her pass the blessing on to me - her second child of four? Oh how I wish the others were here." I removed her Bible from her bedstand and left to make memorial arrangements.

 When I drove away from the Mental Hospital, it was the most difficult drive I ever had to make.

Louisa A Dobbins