Wednesday, November 28, 2007

My dearest God,

I went to see my friend Evadene today. Soon to be 92 she has returned to her beloved home...to die. In hospice care I did not know what I would find when I got there. I would have brought ice cream because we love eating ice cream together, but I didn't know whether she would even be able to eat.

Imagine my shock when I entered her room and she cried out, "Oh, I just love her to pieces." I turned to her caregiver and thanked her for being so special to Evadene. She corrected me to say my friend was talking about me. I blushed a bit and turned to Evadene whose been bedridden for about five years. "I love you to pieces too." We smiled at each other as I leaned down to give her a kiss on her forehead.

I was amazed as I gazed upon her face. She's dropped twenty or thirty years. No longer wrinkles or frowns from pain, she looks like a new woman. The doctor had said she needed her leg amputated. But with all her additional medical problems, they knew she would not make it through the surgery. So they decided on hospice, to make her comfortable. Well, Evadene made her own decision and started healing. Her leg is getting better and so is her arm. Slowly.

I apologized for not bringing ice cream. She forgave me and asked the caregiver what flavors she had in the freezer. Within minutes we held bowls of cookies and cream ice cream. Not able to feed herself, her caregiver started to put a bite in her mouth and I said, "Stop! We have to make a toast!" They both looked at me. "We have to toast to you getting better and returning home." A big smile spread across Evadene's face. She took hold of her spoon and we clanked our ice cream-laden spoons, then I helped her take her first bite.

We talked and talked. I was there for about an hour and a half. Most of the time she was tracking with me, only taking side trips occasionally. But for nearly 92 I think she did great. I just take the short journeys with her. We always return to the road.

When it came time to leave, she hated to let me go and I hated leaving. But it was time. I asked if I could pray, already knowing the answer. I held her hands and I prayed. Then I gave her another kiss and a hug, promising to return next week. Her twinkling eyes sparkled and I knew if I didn't return, she'd remind me of my promise and I'd feel guilty.

Gracious, Loving God,
thank you for my friend
Evadene.
What joy she gives me
as we talk to one another.
Thank you for sparing
her life
one more time.
Thank you
for returning her home.
Thank you
for her joy.

Love, Andrea