Wednesday, October 04, 2006

The difference a life makes: Dedicated to my mother-in-law, an amazing woman who is currently in critical condition in a Cardiac Care Unit after suffering a massive heart attack, Monday, one day after her 83rd birthday.

With One Simple Life

With one single phone call a life changes. Lives are changed; hearts join together in one accord; gathering together to hold the heart of one so dear. While fear is imminent, it is not the fear of unfulfilled relationships; it is simply the raw fear of losing one who has selflessly offered the love of a mother.

No regrets of words unsaid, for she has lived her life, fully loving, with reserved abandon. No despair for things undone, each task has been faithfully extended and lovingly performed. No misgivings of love lost, for when she loves you, you know you are loved!

With one single phone call, children gather to will their mother well. Grandchildren, in-laws, friends, and family would be no where else; their hearts follow it’s conviction—they have an innate need to be near the Grandmother who has prayed for them and loved them since before they were born. With one simple phone call, a grandson living states away asks his mom if they could pray over the phone for his Grandma. Prayer is not something he visits offhandedly; his Grandma is important; he is compelled to reach out to the God that she seeks daily.

With one single life, lives are transformed. Not seeking self-indulgence, accolades embarrassing, one single life has blessed generations to come with her steadfast heart and determined spirit. It is in this one life that we have come to know, we too, can make a difference. For I have felt the difference of being loved by this one dear life. When struggles prevailed, this prayer warrior fell to her knees. When delighted, you could count on her joyful glee to light a room up. In the life of her children, her gratitude for unimagined blessings can not be squelched; she readily shares it with anyone near. With a simple good-night, she blesses her children with words of gratitude and pride for who they have become and all that they mean to her.

Daughters come to her side and lovingly assure her that all will be well. Towering over her frail body, sons tearfully approach her bedside, willing her soaring spirit to somehow, just for a little longer, forge beyond the crisis at hand. As heart monitors offer their steady rhythm, adult children return to their home—the heart of their mother. It is a sacred rhythm, with each beat of her heart a march of thankfulness and hope is offered.
Thankfulness for each and every beat of her heart, and hope that God will allow the cadence of her life to be extended for many more years to come. For it is in the life of this dear woman we find……a love….. that would be difficult to live without. Yet, we have learned within one simple life, that all things are possible when we live, simply, in such profound love.

11 comments:

Lisa said...

I have tears in my eyes right now and can not find the right words to say. Just know you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

BlondeBrony said...

That was beautiful written.

I will pray for all of you.
Thanks for the name of the book.

Brigitte said...

What a beautiful post Diane. I will keep her and her family in my prayers. God bless you...

tam said...

Oh Diane, your words are filled with love and beauty, again.

My prayers will be with you and your family...

Father in Heaven, what a Godly woman you have in Diane's mother in law...what a treasure her family has in her. Lord, support this family who seems to have great faith with and by your grace and mercy...your patience and healing. I praise you for the generations of legacy you have gifted her with and the glory and the praise is all yours for her complete recovery. Amen.

Anonymous said...

my thoughts and prayers r with u

rena said...

Your mother in law sounds like the same selfless loving women my mother in law is...she is your Naomi too?
I'm sorry to hear of her illness and my prayers are with you.

Sonya said...

Will certainly pray for her.
Psalms 125:2

Cheryl said...

Very well said. It is the very simple acts of prayer...a touch which are well remembered.

Susan (5 Minutes For Mom) said...

What a wonderful tribute. She sounds like the most amazing women and I'm praying for her now.

Anonymous said...

What a legacy. I'll be praying for your family.

Cynthia said...

Wow- I just stumbled across your site and it has blessed me greatly! Prayers for your family in this hard time.