Visiting the sick with Cards

It was about 10 days before Thanksgiving that my husband of 32 years had a bad stroke. I called 911 because he was having difficulty walking and I found that he choked easily when he tried to eat lunch that day. By the next day, in the hospital, he was unable to form words, swallow or use his right arm or leg. After several days of tests and some therapy it seemed clear that he probably would not regain the use of any of these functions because of where the stroke occured. He slept most of the time. When he was awake for short periods you could sense the frustration he felt not being able to communicate. He was able to mumble some words and with some real careful listening he was able to tell us he wanted some Pepsi! That had always been his favorite drink. Another word he was able to say was "home". He wanted to go home!

I made arrangements with Hospice to get him home so I could take care of him there. We've been home for two weeks now and doing pretty well. He still sleeps a lot but he has some days when he's more awake and responsive.

The cards! We've received many, many cards from friends and family wishing us well and telling us that we are being prayed for. That is very comforting to know that there are so many people who care about us.

I continue to send cards as well, knowing there are other families that need the same kind of encouragement. This has been a difficult time, not only for us but for some of our family members and our church family with illnesses. It just makes you stop to think about how precious each of these lives are and how our lives will change when any one of them is no longer with us. I came across a poem over 20 years ago that I just love. It's appropriate for the time of year and for our relationship with our Savior. It goes like this:

‘Twas the night before Jesus came
And all thru the house,
Not a creature was stirring
Not one in the house.

Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care;
In hopes that Jesus would not come there.

The children were dressing to crawl into bed;
Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head.
And Mom in her rocker with baby on her lap
Was watching the late show while I took a nap.

When out of the East there arose such a clatter;
I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!

When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here.
With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray;
I knew in a moment this must be THE DAY!

The light of His face made me cover my head,
It was Jesus returning, just like He had said.
And tho I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth,
I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.

In the Book of Life which He held in His hand,
Was written the name of every saved man.
He spoke not a word as He searched for my name,
When He said “It’s not here”, my head hung in shame.

The people whose names had been written with love,
He gathered to take to His Father above.
With those who were ready, rose without a sound
While the rest were left standing right there on the ground.

I fell to my knees, but it was too late,
I had waited too long and thus sealed my fate.
I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight,
Oh, if only I had been ready tonight!

In the words of this poem the meaning is clear,
The coming of Jesus is drawing near.
There’s only one life and when comes the last call,
We’ll find out the Bible was true after all.