Photo by Motortion | Dreamstime.com
After being diagnosed with cancer, Amanda, a member of our Word of Life group, endured some pretty rough chemotherapy. Many of us helped her with meals, housekeeping, errands, transportation or simply visits.
Within several months, she entered a hospice facility. I remember that it was a Saturday. I had been to an event at church and, while walking to my car, heard an inner voice say, “Go and see Amanda.”
I hadn’t planned it, but I wanted to put God’s will first, and I had time. So I called my husband to let him know. Then I wondered if another friend would like to come with me. I called her cell and had to leave a voicemail. After hanging up, I thought to wait a few minutes for an answer.
But that voice piped up again, saying, “Go now.” I went.
Amanda’s eyes were half-open. She was breathing on her own, but unable to respond. I pulled a chair up close to her bed, talked to her, read a passage to her from a spiritual book, and prayed the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.
Then, with my hand on her arm, I reassured her that her family had taken care of everything, including finding good homes for the therapy dogs that she trained. I also promised that family would visit her again soon. (I knew that they saw her every day.)
Finally, I traced the sign of the cross on her forehead before saying goodbye.
I was at peace during my drive, which lasted about three-quarters of an hour. I had only been home around 15 minutes when the phone rang. It was Amanda’s sister-in-law, calling from the hospice center. Amanda had passed away.
I was so grateful to God that I had been there.
