All my ears could hear was the slow murmur of the
oxygen tank, slowly feeding the much-needed air to my mother who had entered
her last days in the comfort of her bed and loved ones surrounding her. The
“angels of the hospice program” were not only sent from above but also
expressed the gift of service reserved for incredible people with hearts of
gold. Mom’s labored breathing and lowering blood pressure slowly announced the
carefully calculated time my mom had left on this earth.
Then entered Mary Ellen, an 87-year-old Deaconess of
the Greek Orthodox Church. Also a resident of the facility of which my mom
lived, Mary Ellen cleans the feet of others. She never misses an opportunity to
serve those around her both physically and spiritually. And that included my
mom. Alzheimer’s Dementia had begun to conclude its merciless journey into my
mom’s brain for years and was now seeking its ultimate victory over her life.
While sitting next to Gerry (my mom’s boyfriend – that’s another story), our
time of sharing and listening was pleasantly interrupted as in strolled Mary
Ellen with her walker. With a loving yet firm expression, Mary Ellen informs me
that she was going to give my mom communion, following a special blessing she
had administered the night before. While I am not personally Greek Orthodox, I
witnessed a blessing like no other as she gently placed a Q-tip, dipped with
oil, on the lips of my mom. And then Mary Ellen proceeded to carefully move her
walker aside and slowly and very gingerly get on her knees next to my mom. She
then reached up and grabbed her hand, administered a prayer and gave communion to
her. No pomp & circumstance, just a humble lady faithfully serving another
in the midst of the oncoming death itself, seeking to take one of this earth’s
most precious gems. Only hours later, my dear mom was ushered into the hands of
God.
Personally, each day recently has made me feel like a
pinball emotionally, not just because of my mom’s physical condition but also
because my family is literally only days away from celebrating a DIY wedding
for my eldest daughter. Only days ago my eldest daughter Kristina was blessed
to spend time with Grandma while she still maintained a bit of consciousness.
While tears flowed down the face of this bride-to-be, she enjoyed sharing life
with her grandma and recalling events from the past that will now serve as
loving memories for her new family as well.
The emotions for everyone have been, to say the least,
all over the place. From deep sorrow of losing mom to incredible joyful pride
for the union of my daughter and her fiancé. And then, right in the midst of
this emotional roller coaster comes Mary Ellen, a reminder that when it comes
right down to it that what really matters in life is love, listening, and
serving others. This world is in great need of more saints like Mary Ellen and
a true love for others as expressed through unconditionally serving, even in
times of illness and/or coming death. As the mind, body, and spirit all come to
a close in this journey we call life, there is nothing to fear as long as we
have beautiful saints like Mary Ellen.
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