I have been praying my brother through his long war against cancer. This week, he lost the final battle.
The past two weeks he was bedridden, nearly immobile, eating nothing, existing on ice chips. Through hospice and our ministrations, he was kept relatively comfortable, but my prayer each day was that the end would come soon.
There were glimpses of the brother I truly loved and knew to be a beacon of light to all those around him. He still had a zest for life, a great sense of humor, and faith in Jesus. He still tried to watch his beloved Giants, and thrilled to a no hitter last week. He still welcomed the visits of numerous friends, and appreciated all who cared for him.
His last day we met with the hospice nurse, his CPA who lovingly bathed him, and while we were discussing when to call his wife home from her nursing duties at a hospital almost an hour away, she arrived home. We didn’t call her; the Lord did.
While a loving neighbor entertained my sister and I and Connie’s sister, they had some precious time together for several hours. When we returned, she was busy cleaning the horse stable, doing some tasks around the grounds and the garage. I am convinced the house was under attack; the washer was broken, the dishwasher didn’t work, the week before the air conditioner and water pump had been repaired. There was a great deal of frustration, as if everything was calling for attention.
My brother was left pretty much alone when I heard his moans increasing, his labored breathing very audible. I went to him, took his hand, told him I loved him, and that it was time to go to Jesus. He grasped my hand, his breathing became slower, a sense of peace covered him and surrounded us, and I began to sing: “Come to Jesus, Come to Jesus, Come to Jesus and Live!” “Fly to Jesus, Fly to Jesus, Fly to Jesus and Live!” He relaxed more. I asked him if he saw a great light with Jesus asking him to come. He opened his beautiful blue eyes we hadn’t seen for almost a day, and when I sang “Sing to Jesus, Sing to Jesus, Sing to Jesus and Live!” he smiled and ceased to breathe. At the moment of his death, my sister’s cell phone rang churchbell chimes! I know he saw his Lord and mine; I know he was at peace; I know he is with our parents and his Lord in heaven. Amen.
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