“If the people of this world hate you, just remember they
hated Me first!” ~ John 15:18
At 71, Len was dying of cancer;
drifting slowly into dementia. He had
family in the area, a daughter and son, both married with children of their
own. He spoke of them often, but they
never visit of phone anymore. His wife
Millie passed away years ago but still lives somewhere at the edge of Len's
focus.
Smitty too was a widower.
A lifelong friend, he now provides hospice care for Len in his own home. Lately he shows signs of forgetfulness too,
but confides the memories are probably best forgotten anyway. His two grown children live nearby as well,
but never call or come around either.
After serving a tour in Vietnam, Len returned home to marry
Millie, his high school honey, before starting to work beside Smitty at his
Dads' boat shop. The boys built that
small shop into what became one of the best small businesses on the west
coast. Both are retired figureheads now;
their portraits adorning the showroom wall.
Eventually Len decided to move into Smitty’s house. It made sense; they’d been friends forever. They were just about all each other had. Len arranged an apartment-warming party and
invited all their children – to share their good news.
They expected jubilation – they got a misery.
Without letting them explain, everyone started yelling at
once. “Are you telling us that you’re
gay?... What would our Mom’s
think?... How long has this been going
on?... Who else knows?... Do you realize what this will do to our
business?... The children didn’t care to
listen; they thought only of themselves.
Eventually, their kids stopped talking to them
entirely. That was four years ago. They only had each other, sometimes laughing
and crying at the same time.
“I loved you, man,” Smitty whispered at Len’s graveside, nearly
three months since his buddy had passed away. He had no regrets; he’d cared for his dear
friend until the end. “I just wish they
could have understood!
Death is frightening or peaceful, depending on your faith. For Christians, death is something that quite
literally brings us closer to God. The
kingdom of God means wherever and whenever God’s presence is seen, felt or
experienced. He’s always here in our
midst. When you see the end of life
through those in hospice care, you see a glimpse of the journey home. Blessed are those who view the end of life as
a final stage of growth.
Thank God for all who provide Hospice care. We’re grateful for their patience, their
empathy, their kindness and most of all, the giving of themselves to ease the
pain, the fear and the uncertainty of others.
Amen
