I shared with you a few weeks ago that I was taking my 96-year-old mom home to Plain Dealing, Louisiana (and Bossier City) for one “last” visit. It was definitely the right thing to do, and Mom handled the seven-hour road trip well for her age. I’m so thankful the Lord allowed us to go home.
Mom with sisters (she’s in the middle)
Mom was thrilled to see her two sisters and other family and friends and loved going back to her home church on Sunday. We laughed and we cried as we reunited and said goodbye again.
A tearful goodbye
On Sunday afternoon, mom told her 90-year-old sister goodbye, knowing that she probably would not see her again on this earth. She just broke down and wept, and we did too.
Back in the hotel room, mom said, “I’m ready to go home.”
“We’re going home tomorrow, mom. We’re going back to Memphis in the morning.”
“No. I mean my heaven home. I’m ready to go home.”
My brother and I just broke down in tears, speechless. Mom can’t see, speak, or hear well. She’s ready to be freed from this earthly body, and we will rejoice with her when she can see and hear clearly again; when she can express the words on her heart and sing praises to God; when she can reunite with loved ones in her “heaven home.” But until then, we will cherish every minute with her in her Memphis home.
As Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:2, “For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven. . .” Home sweet home.
How did you respond when a loved one told you he/she was ready to go “home”?
Precious post today, Crickett. Thanks for sharing your family with us.
I am grateful that there is peace when we know where our loved ones are headed.
So glad you had a great trip with your Mom, Crickett. You know, when I was younger and heard a grandparent say they were ready to go home, I thought it so morbid. I didn’t understand at all. I’m older now and it sounds so sweet and so . . . so RIGHT. I would like a little more time in the tent, but it is great to know that home is waiting.
There’s a lot I can relate to, Crickett…I’m also experiencing the end times of my mom, who will
be 98 in October …You are blessed that your mom has such a sweet spirit about these last hard
days .. I’m so glad she made the trip and got to see her sisters. Jean Hammond
Crickett, Thanks so much for sharing this very special experience with us. How PRECIOUS! I’ve always regretted that because we stopped for lunch on our way to the hospital in Alabama to be with my Mom we missed being able to say “good-bye” by about 10 minutes.
I’ve enjoyed getting to know your Mom a “little bit” better through HE CARES. She always has such a sweet/ready smile.
Avie
Thanks, Avie
Precious story,Crickett. There isn’t anything as comforting as knowing where we will all be together in eternity. Even now I dwell on the thought of how wonderful it will be!