There is a time for everything. A time to be born a time, a time to die, a time to enjoy, a time to relax, as well a time to go through challenges. Human beings are made from the earth and to the earth we return. No one is spared from death.
This weekend, Christians will be celebrating Good Friday and Easter, commemorating the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. When I think of Christ’s death on the cross and His resurrection, I see God’s amazing grace to sacrifice His only Son so that I can look forward to the future with Him in eternity. A hope and a future – none is spared from death here but there is life forevermore for those who belong to God.
For the past few months, this reality of death was so real. There were many sudden and untimely deaths of friends, some young and some older. But for me, my hope remains anchored. This is my recent experience:
I watched her deteriorate through the months recently. A very capable, strong-willed woman. The day came when her body was stricken with disease and undeniable pain. Through each passing year, it had gotten worse. Now it has come to the stage when she was bedridden, assigned to hospice care. Many times, during my visit she grimaced and endured the pain. She pressed on, holding on to fragile life. Months passed.
Why could she not let go of her frail life? Why does she have to stay on and suffer pain? I watched her lying on the bed totally helpless. She needed someone to help change her diapers and clean her; someone to apply medication on her bed sores, someone to feed her.
As I sat beside her bed, I held on to her hand to bring her some assurance and comfort. Her usual loud voice is now a mere whisper. Sometimes she could recognize familiar visitors but sometimes she can’t even recognize me. I feel so, so sad.
I cooked lunch for her twice a week and fed her when I sent her lunch. After lunch, she loves to have home-made red bean ice-cream which I made in an ice cube tray. Then I held her hands and lightly massaged them to give her some relief from the pain. Twice she asked me, “Can you come every day?”
I asked, “Do you want me to cook lunch for you every day?”
“No, no need to cook lunch every day,” came the reply.
“Then why?”
“Just come and hold my hands.”
“OK. I’ll try to.”
So, I try my best to be there for her. I would pop by with her choice dishes for lunch on two days a week, snacks or desserts on other days. Each time I was there, I would grab her frail hands and announced, “I’m here to hold your hands!” And her countenance broke into a smile. That was enough for me.
As I looked at the frailty of life, a familiar hymn echoed in my ears: This world is not my home...We are just a passing through. She lay there awaiting her the day of moving from her earthly home to her eternal home. She has that privilege all because of Good Friday and Easter!
A Blessed Good Friday and Happy Resurrection Sunday to all!
God bless Malaysia!
Mei Wong (mwrejoice@gmail.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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