My good-bye was his hello. Every once in a while you meet people who will forever mark you in a noticeable fashion. He was one such guy. I first met him when I walked into his apartment at a local extended care facility. He had a stroke ten years earlier and was in a wheel chair. I never really saw him in the wheel chair. I intentionally did not use the word suffer because he never appeared to be suffering. That is what was so remarkeable about him. He never complained. I know he suffered...deep inside. Yet he had such stellar character you would never know the challenges he was facing in mind and body.
I came to meet him and give him communion. It was my first month at a new church and just after Easter Sunday. He handed me an envelope with a card in it. Unsure of what lay ahead, I opened it. The outside of the card was a retro black and white picture of a old school Minister at his pulpit preaching. He was in his clerical garb, black rimmed glasses, and a crew cut haircut, I think you get the picture. The caption read, "And now for my Easter Sunday sermon." I then opened the card to read the inside. The image was the same crusty and stodgy Minister, of another denomination not related to mine I am sure. He was shaking his finger at the people and the caption read, "Where the hell have you all been since Christmas?" Now that was funny. I met a guy, who was earthy and got it. We laughed together, as much as he could since the stroke effected one side of his mouth. But he was still very much alive, the twinkle in his eye told me that immediately. I could see through his eyes into his soul. Here was a guy who made lemonade out of lemons, loved God and loved his life. We talked often of his love for Christ, his family and of flying. When I left he gave me another envelope-the offering envelope. Every time I came to visit and offer him communion he gave me a check for the ministry of the church. He lived a great life!
A week ago I walked into his new room--a hospital room. He had just had another stroke. He was in pretty bad shape and the moment I saw him I knew that we were saying good-bye. I was to him anyway. I woke him up saying something pastoral I am sure. He struggled to say anything. I could not hear him either. I had to put my ear down close to his mouth. He softly and yet audibly muttered and stuttered P-P-P-Pray. I prayed Psalm 23 as his good right hand reached out from under the bed covers to hold my hand. I assured him that there was nothing to fear. He would open his eyes with a big hello in the arms of Jesus Christ! I told him I loved him, the church loved him, his family loves him and Jesus loves him. I spoke softly. It was very peaceful and intimate. He stuttered again. R-R-R-R-Ready! I reiterated to him that he is ready. I said more things which I can hardly remember because I knew he was completing his life and I was doing everything in my power not to cry right there with him. Although, I would have had no problem with that. I tried to go and he would not let my hand go. We just sat there for a few moments. Then he released my hand. As I walked away he did something I will never forget. He waved good-bye at me. I could not help but let a tear roll down my cheek. I never wipe away my tears because they have something to teach me. I remember listening to my tear all the way to my car where it dried up.
Later that same night he died. He died a good death. What did my tear say? My good-bye was his hello!
What a tender, loving story and a lesson for all of us. It was hard for us to read without having a tear in our eyes.
Posted by: Lillie | May 11, 2009 at 04:44 PM