IN THE GARDEN

Eighty-four year old “Mary” was diagnosed with cancer four months ago. After several failed attempts of chemotherapy and radiation, she chose to stop treatment. It was then she was referred to hospice.

Mary has six children who all live locally and visit often. She has a large, extended family with in-laws and multiple grandchildren. The family is very close and loving to her. She has been the matriarch to them all.

Since Mary has stopped treatment, she has been feeling better day by day. She says she is stronger and her appetite is improving. She has started to get out; her biggest pleasure being able to attend church again.

She is wobbly on her feet and needs supervision while up and about. The family are all eager to help her as her positive attitude is wonderful to be around. Three of her daughters rotate so that at least one of them is with Mary at all times. They help Mary with meals and household chores.

I met with Mary today and she told me about meeting Jesus in the garden when she was six. She shared how her strong faith in God has enabled her to appreciate her life and be thankful each day for the blessings she has had.

She has no fears about dying. She says she has had a good life. She will embrace the day she will meet Him again. It’s what her life has been all about.


IN THE GARDEN


She first met Him when she was six.
She was sitting on a bench in the garden.
She knew immediately who He was,
even though she never saw His face.

He sat down next to her on the bench.
He told her He would always be there.
No matter what troubles befall her in life,
she will never ever be alone.

Things had been rough in her short life.
There had been many troubling times.
But once she met Him, it quickly changed,
never again to be the same.

Her life did transform that day.
She was no longer afraid.
She knew He would always be around.
He was there to guide her way.

She saw Him again across the river.
He was motioning her to come.
She was afraid to go in the water.
She stood motionless while He walked away.

She wonders sometimes what would have been
if she chose to cross the river.
She feels she may have been a teacher;
instructing others about Him.

She talks about Him to whomever will listen.
Her strong faith leads the way.
She need not speculate about crossing the river,
as she’s been a teacher all along.