My Mother’s Greatest Adventure

My mother’s greatest adventure is just beginning.

My Mom is 71 years old. She has had cancer for many years, and is succumbing fast. A few months ago we thought we had several more Christmases with her; a few weeks ago we were hoping she would make it to this Christmas. She is nearing the end of her life here in the “shadowlands.” Her new life, her life without sin, tears, or pain is about to begin. Her life where she will be reunited with her parents, her brother, and my Dad. Her life where she will be with Jesus face to face forever.

She will miss being a grandma and a great-grandma here; the children are her strongest tie to the shadowlands. But she will still be a grandma in her new life. She will meet my son, Matthew, before I will. Give him a message for me, Mom. Tell him I love him and look forward to the day I will meet him too. Not too soon, but one day, at the right time, we will all be together forever.

Yesterday was my last Christmas with my Mom, on this side of heaven. I couldn’t stop thinking about other Christmases spent with her. The years my brother and I, my partner in crime, would sneak out of our rooms in the middle of the night to peek in stockings and try to see what Santa had brought. The year my grandparents came for Christmas, and I got to sleep on the couch by the Christmas tree so they could have my room. My brothers were so jealous! I was solemnly charged to be the Christmas Eve watcher for Santa that year, and failed miserably. One minute I was
resolved as steel to stay awake the whole night to catch a glimpse of him; the next it was 5 am and my brother was shaking me, demanding, “Well? Well? Did you see him?”

I remember the year she taught me to make Christmas cookies with her. The year she gave me my first set of Lord of the Rings books. The year she gave me my great-grandma’s victorian silver necklace, and entrusted me with my first family heirloom.The year I worked for months on a hand-painted calender for her. The year she gave me a hand-made afghan. The year she gave me luggage. I was 21 and had just been engaged to my sweet dh, and she knew that would be my last Christmas at home. It must have been a bittersweet Christmas for her … just as this Christmas was.

I have so many wonderful memories of my mother to cherish. It will be hardest for us, the left-behind. She will be living her new life outstide of space and time, and it may only seem like a few hours have passed to her before we come to join her. It is we who will have to endure the waiting. But
not without hope — not without hope. We will celebrate many more Christmases together, Mom – with no sickness to mar them. And with the
Prince of Peace Himself, presiding! I cherish this Christmas … and I look forward to our next Christmas together.