(written at the bedside of my dying mother on April 6, 2016)

By Janey Olvera

Today became a day to symbolize and celebrate new life. My daughter breathed new life on this day several years before and now sits with me as we escort my mother, her grandmother, right to Heaven’s threshold where my mother breathes new life in Heaven on this day.

 My prayer for her passing was answered; “painlessly and peacefully” with even more blessing added, gradually and graciously; dignity in dying.

An astounding glimpse of Heaven for her beckoning, shown witness in her wide open big blue eyes and 100 year old face beaming a child’s wonderment, joy, and exclamation “Oh, it’s so beautiful” with some of her last few words; reassurance for those of us who choose to someday follow.  A Testament and Fulfillment of Promise, for her blind eyes to see so clearly, again with that child’s wonderment and astonishment, loudly proclaiming what she saw, “The Most Beautiful Face”, seldom seen in a form that man can presently witness.

Assurance He DID go to prepare a place especially for ALL of US.
And He IS the First and The Last, The Alpha and Omega, Always And Forever.

What special blessings for her and for each and all of us along her journey; ours individually and collectively interwoven with her and each other, even strangers, and especially with HIM, in all Three Entities, FATHER, SON, and HOLY SPIRIT.

In the end, all that mattered was LOVE. The Only thing any of us are allowed to take beyond the parameters of this world and the only thing allowed to accompany our souls as companion into the next phase of LIFE ETERNAL.

 A life of abundance and fulfillment, silent and peaceful, left resoundingly loud ripples of testimony that touched so many unexpected people’s lives.  Mom had it right, correct in theory and practice; what were the most important things to her was her family, all of them, the love between them, (“I love you” and “I love everybody” she stated repeatedly so we would be sure to tell the rest), peace and Salvation for all of them, and her God, Ultimate and Faithful to fulfill all our prayers in His Perfect Way.

As the lonesome and distinct sound of distant train whistles blew, and the sun's soft reflection grew into a new sunrise over the faint outline of green hills, I felt her last shallow breath, and her last soft heartbeat leave her at the threshold of Glory, where Jesus gently but firmly lifted her soul, leaving it's transport vehicle empty and spent, and HE escorted her into her new Forever Life where a host of loved ones waited anxiously to welcome her into the circle of perfect love, everlasting and eternal, leaving a pure and truthful witness for those of us left behind to wait until God calls us to join her and the rest of our family in new life eternal in Heaven. Will you freely choose to be there?