The last of my mother's siblings has joined the party. Four in the past year have made the transition to heaven. They were a family of twelve children born in fifteen years, so life was boisterous growing up. My mom loved it. In the hours before Mom died in 2006 I heard her over the baby monitor and came down to her bedside. I sleepily noticed paper and a pencil, which her sister had brought for me to transcribe any last mumblings. Her words have given me joy and comfort over and
over.
WOW! Amazing! Great! I can't believe it! You did THAT? I love you.
Amazing. Did you know...Where am I? I don't believe it. I guess these
are real. Is that the children? I'm feeling it did happen. We'd have tea parties, wonderful tea parties. I don't think I could do that. (laughing) You get a lot of
nice relatives. How did you get such nice relatives? Wonderful aunts!
You treated me well. What was her name? When they come over.... they're
bringing it over. WOW! You talked to Dad? (smiles) Was that us? Really?
Maybe it was mine. (sang snatches of The Circle Game) I can't
return, but can only look behind from where you came...
We communicate pretty well. What are we celebrating? Oh! Celebration
party! Dear, dear, dear... He had chocolate cake. Where should I look
when I am looking out the window? If I want to see cardinals where do I
look? Is this a holiday? (repeat) A little too far away.... too far
away... (laughs) I remember when they appeared... they first appeared
on the first... I want to see you.... (smiles) I can't believe you're
going to talk to me about this...cuz it's special... Do you think God
will wake them up? Friend, friend, friend... Haven't done that
before... Thank you! Good, good... Do I need that? I love that
idea... Actually I think she was going. I guess I should say it's her
birthday. Sunny, I love that. I really like that. Is she your friend?
That's when she gets to be your friend. Did they live on a farm? They
don't make farms like they used to. You're nice to hold my hand. Is that
Ben singing? Did he sing today? What a thoughtful
person... She's wonderful... It's amazing! I can't absorb that...I
wonder if she got it... Where do I get it? Bless you...How could we dream it? Is he leaving? Look how bright the sunshine is! You're giving me the tree
side? There's that happy face. Good ol' Smiley... You're pretty
smiley... Not quite ready to be unveiled...(laughed) She liked to do
that. Such a wonderful expression. I've never seen that before. I've got
a Mercy. How am I doing? I'm doing a lot of sleeping. I have everything..
It sounds like they still love to celebrate together.
My own family of nine kids, two parents, four spouses and a granddaughter will smash into one large rental house this August. We will soak up the sunshine, smile because we can, hold hands as we walk among the trees, and have tea with chocolate cake. I'll bring my guitar, and sing The Circle Game.
In that moment I will have everything I need.
