I sat with a dying woman for a little while tonight.
She's ninety and I've visited with her several times since her third and fourth heart attacks in the past year.
Due to a meeting, I arrived very late, shortly after her family had left the hospice ward. She was surprisingly alert and laughed at a joke.
I prayed with her and asked her if she would like me to stay with her until she fell asleep. "If you wouldn't mind," she said.
Just the two of us, quietly alone together in the silence of the night.
It might be my favorite part of this life.
Presence...a gift of the Exercises!
ReplyDeleteAn escort to heaven...not a bad gig.
ReplyDeleteYour presence meant that your parishioner was blessed with the presence of Christ. What a beautiful gift you gave her and in giving it to her, you gave it to Christ.
ReplyDeletePrivileged presence for both of you in sacred place and time. A blessing given and a blessing received in God's graced, perfect time.
ReplyDeleteShe is fortunate to have you in her life and that you see it as a blessing rather than an obligation. You are amazing!
ReplyDeletethat is such a little thing to offer and ... everything.
ReplyDelete