When the Angels Came, A Peaceful Death

For the past five years Mother (actually, my mother-in-law) had been very ill. Her heart was failing her and she seemed to be less able to care for herself each day. My husband and I had been making the twelve hour drive to visit her and do what we could to help keep up her home as often as we could. About eighteen months ago, we were there to take her to her doctor's appointment. She seemed weaker and was just beginning to find it harder to get around in her home.

After the doctor's examination, he suggested to her and my husband that they should consider "HOSPICE". The doctor found that Mother's condition was terminal. Terminal meaning that she was not a candidate for surgery nor would surgery be of benefit to her. Her condition was incurable. He could do no more for her but to make her comfortable.

The family (my husband, his brother, and two sisters) convened and decided that Hospice was an option that they should look into. It was decided that Hospice would be best for Mother. The next day, a social worker came by the house and talked with Mother, and the family at length about what could be expected with their services. Mother was satisfied with the arrangements made with Hospice because this would keep her in her home. Staying in her home until she died was her utmost concern. Everyone wanted to honor this wish of Mother's.

Mother continued having fair days and not so good days until this past August. My husband and I made the long twelve hour drive once again to help out with Mother and to try and make her comfortable. She was very pleased to see us and know that we would be with her day and night for how ever long we could stay. During this visit Mother seemed to be drained. She lacked the sparkle in her eyes. She lacked the desire to continue in this life that had become very painful. She was so uncomfortable and miserable.

One morning I arose at 1:00 a.m. to check on Mother. She was awake and she had a smile on her face. I asked why she was so happy or what had pleased her so. She relayed to me her visions that she had just had. She heard soft voices singing and she saw Angels surrounding her bed. At the foot of her bed she saw her mother and her husband (whom have all passed on). She said that they were telling her to come with them but then an angel spoke and told her it was not time for her to go just yet. She was happy to see her loved ones and to know that they were waiting for her. It saddened her that she could not go on and be with them and God. But she loved God enough to know that when he was ready for her to go, he would come for her. We talked for a long while. Mother and I had not always been close. In fact it wasn't until she became ill that we drew into friendship with each other. This same morning I apologized to her for not being a better daughter-in-law. I could have been so much kinder to her. She told me that she understood and that I was surely making up now for any short comings I may have had in the past. She thanked me for taking care of her so well and tending to her needs. I knew in my heart that she meant the words she was speaking.

After a week of trying to get Mother to eat or even just sip some broth or other liquid it appeared that she had given up. She begged God to take her home. She cried out to Him in her frail condition and asked that he let her go. On this particular morning when I awoke and went in to check on her and to say good morning , Mother smiled at me. She said, "Honey this is the happiest day of your Mother's life"! She said those words with strength and conviction. She was overwhelmed and exhibited a sense of relief. I asked her if she would tell me why she was so happy. Her answer to me (and I will never forget her words): "Jesus told me that He is taking me home this evening".

Oh, what a smile came over her face and she rested peacefully. I asked her if she would like for me to pray with her for a minute and she nodded in satisfaction. I prayed the Lord's Prayer and she mouthed the words along with me. She was much to weak to speak aloud. When the prayer was over, she asked me to sing for her (Obviously, she had never heard me sing before). I asked what she wanted me to sing and she requested gospel songs. I began to try and think of some that I knew the words to. Oh was this a chore. I am Catholic and she was Baptist and I just didn't know many Baptist hymns. I asked her if she had a particular song in mind. Was I surprised to hear her whisper, "Jesus Loves Me". Of all the songs she knew and loved, she wanted to hear "Jesus Loves Me". I sang. She smiled and she drifted off to sleep.

I told my husband that he needed to call his brother and sisters to come over to the Mother's house. I told him what she had told me and said that they all needed to be near her. Unfortunately one sister was out of town on a long road trip. She was due home 3 days later. His brother came over and the other sister came too. The boys were preparing to cook and were clanging around in the kitchen. Mother told me to tell them to be quiet.

When my sister-in-law arrived I told her that her Mother wanted to hear gospel songs but she didn't want the radio she wanted us to sing to her. I called the boys in the room to join us and we all sang. Through the tears and cracking voices, we managed to sing together "The Old Rugged Cross", "When We All Get to Heaven", and "Amazing Grace". The room fell silent and Mother smiled. She whispered that she heard the angels singing. They had such beautiful voices and it pleased her so much. Within a few minutes Mother began to have some very serious pain. We began dosing her with her morphine. The Home Health Nurse was called and was on her way out to the house.

Mother let out a cry! We could see her struggle for breath. It was at this moment that she drew her final breath and her soul left carried away by the angels who had surrounded her bed just a few days before. In this time of such sorrow, we couldn't help but smile as we looked upon her face and saw such a peaceful, happy smile.

Mother died as she had always wished. Her family was with her, she was in her own home, in her own bedroom, there was cooking going on in the kitchen, and last but not least, her family was singing gospel to her and with her. Tears fell from everyone's eyes but they weren't tears of sorrow or grief. They were tears of relief and joy. Joy that we gave Mother what she wanted and she died surrounded by her family and hearing "Angels" singing gospel songs.

God Bless Mother!!!!! May she rest in peace!!!