Each day seems to get harder and harder. Yesterday seemed to be especially hard. I spent most of the day at the hospital, with my Uncle Gus, his daughter, Anne, and her husband Brad, my mom and dad, and my sister.
Aunt Marge’s breathing seems to have changed, it has become shallow and labored. Her color has also changed. At four o’clock yesterday she was moved from the hospital back to her old room at the nursing home. Her room at the home is very comfortable and it has an extra bed. Anne (and maybe Gus) stayed with her through the night last night.
When we were with her yesterday her breathing seemed to be even more labored and by the evening she was running a fever of 102.5 and her pulse was also very fast.
My daughter Leah wanted to go with me to the nursing home last night so she could say goodbye to Aunt Marge. Leah and my other daughter, Rachael, have been very faithful in praying for Aunt Marge and visiting her.
So, last night we played music for her. She is a very gifted piano player. (In fact, even with the disease of Alzheimer’s, we could sit her down at the piano, name any hymn and she could play it. One time, Leah, Rachael, and I brought an old hymnal to the nursing home because we were having trouble coming up with different songs for her to play. We could pick any song from the hymnal and she would know it without looking at the music or the words.)
Last night, we held her hand, we prayed with her, and we told her she could “go home.” Many people are waiting for her in heaven, her mom and dad, her brother Jim, and his wife, Grace, but most importantly Jesus.
On the way home from the nursing home, Leah looked at me through tears and said, “Mom, even though I don’t know Aunt Marge very well I still love her so much. She has taught me that even through troubled times I can still trust Jesus.”
Thank you Aunt Marge. Even through your sickness and pain, your light for Jesus still shines through to my daughters and me.
It was hard to leave the home last night and I’m anxious to get back there this morning.
morethanarunner 
Suzanne, may I join your family to pray for your Aunt Marge and share your feeling, too. I understand very well how you feel because my Aunt is in the same situation in Cambodia, and I unable to be there. I only saw her once when I went to visit my family early this year.
Sophie, thank you for your prayers. I will also pray for your Aunt in Cambodia. I can only imagine how heart-breaking it must be to not be able to be with her.
Suzanne –
We’ll be praying for your Aunt Marge and all your family. I’m very glad Leah can see Jesus and trust Him through all this time; the girls’ having spent time with Marge has been a real gift to them and you too.
Mom
Suzanne, Your words about Aunt Marge are a tribute to her life and I am so glad your mom shared this with me. You and your family are In my prayers!! Love you!!