Remembering Edith

A year ago, our family lost a very dear member. Edith was a joyous, vibrant woman who knew how to organize wonderful family events and cook for a crowd. She was an incredible mother--I have never seen a closer mother-daughter relationship than I saw with Edith and her daughter.

A year ago, Edith was ill with what the doctor called "the flu". Not feeling well, she went home. She took a long nap and entered into eternity. That evening around Edith's departure from this world, I was traveling in a car. A deer jumped out in front of the car. Praise be to God, quick thinking and evasive maneuvers prevented the car from hitting the deer. I vividly remember the deer looking with piercing wide eyes directly at me.

The next morning, I was told the news of Edith's passing. I was not surprised. I had noticed a few weeks before at a family birthday party, she seemed very ill. Her hands were shaky, and she was short of breath. When she sat next to me, I could sense her heart racing and beating very forcefully. Since I suffer from many health issues and am sensitive to people bringing up my health, I decided not to mention anything about Edith's health. I almost sent Edith's daughter an email inquiring about her mom's health, but again, I thought I should not intervene in other's health issues. So, when I heard Edith had passed away, I knew immediately her heart must have been very sick. (Afterward, I learned Edith had been sick for a couple months. She had been going to the doctor for heart issues. Right before she passed away, she was very ill. She sought emergency care, but she was sent home and told she had the flu.)

Moments after hearing about Edith's passing, the image of the deer popped into my mind, and Scripture floated through my head. "As the deer pants after the water brook, so pants my soul after thee, O God" (Psalm 42:1). I knew in an instant the deer in the roadway was a sign about Edith's death. It was of great comfort to think she was now not suffering and now at rest. It was of great comfort to think of that deer crossing the road and completing its journey to the great wide expanse beyond. As the deer made it safely on its journey, so too, has Edith completed hers.

As I reflect back on Edith's death, I am saddened that this wonderful woman is no longer around to love her husband, daughter, son and grandkids. But, I am very thankful Edith did not suffer long before her passing. I have thought long and hard about not mentioning anything to anyone about Edith's health. But, I am very glad she was able to die at home. She did not have to die in a cold hospital room surrounded by noisy instruments and connected to hoses and tubes. There was no trauma; there was no chaos. Only peace and quiet in her passing.

As I pray to the Lord, I ask for peace and tranquility to fill the lives of all those who loved Edith. "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast the confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:14-16).