VISITING

“Arnold”, eighty-six, who suffers from dementia, resides in a Memory Care Unit of a large Assisted Living Center. The only family Arnold has is his son “John”. Arnold and John have a wonderful relationship. They tease and joke a lot, but the love they share between each other is so obvious to those around.

During my visit today, John was talking about his mother and how she loved Thanksgiving time because it brought families together. He shared how his mom would always have her home decorated weeks before Thanksgiving. She died early one November nineteen years ago, a few weeks before her favorite holiday.

John then shared the story of the cornucopia. He said that he hasn’t told many about his experience, but still gets chills when he shares it. He spoke so kindly of his mother and what a strong influence she was in his life. John added that so much of who he is today, is because of his mother.

John believes Heaven is right here and not miles away skyward like so many of us were taught as children. It gives him peace knowing that she is still around watching over him. I truly believe that when we think of our loved ones, they are visiting. Their spirits are with us for eternity.


VISITING
　

With a soft, tender voice,
he speaks so lovingly about his mother.
How much she influenced his life.
“No dream is impossible if you believe it’s true.”

He talks about the time she died
almost twenty years ago this Fall.
How her favorite holiday was Thanksgiving
as it brought family home together.

She died a few weeks before that special day.
Her home already decorated in the holiday theme.
A cornucopia proudly displaying an array of flowers;
some short, some tall.

Looking at the cornucopia with thoughts of her,
he reminisced how she so loved Thanksgiving Day.
Silently saying, “I love you mom”,
hoping that she did hear.

Suddenly one tall flower started to bend
as far down as it could go.
Then sprung back up to quiver and rock.
He knew then that she was okay.

Heaven is not that far away.
“It is just right here”.
Whenever he thinks of her, she will be visiting.
A spiritual reunion between two hearts.