Just Wait

Finally landing in Florida was quite a relief however; I was still not certain I was going to make it to the hospital before my Mom went into surgery.  My step-Dad was at the airport to pick me up and thankfully, it was a small airport.  It was literally walk off plane, right into baggage claim right to front door, right to parking lot.  My step-father was able to park right at the entrance, I walked off the plane and he said to me, "We better hurry, your Mother is going into surgery any minute now."  I did not have checked baggage so we were able to get right into the car and head out.

It was only about a 20 minute drive, which felt like and eternity.  My heart was racing and I had a panic feeling swelling in my chest.  I had done all I could.  I had so many hurdles to jump but now I was in the home stretch.  My step-Dad dropped me off at the door at the hospital while he went to park.  I rushed to Mom's room.  I finally made it to my Mom's room and I braced myself for what I might find.  If the room was empty, I was too late.


Breathless, I turn the corner and walk into Mom's room to find her still in her bed awaiting surgery.  When she saw me she screamed with delight.  My step-Dad's daughter, Liz, was in the room along with my sisters, Val and Sam.  Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, "You made it!"  By this time, my step-Dad had even finished parking and he was in the room too.  Much like when we surprised Mom at work, my Mom was talking fast and high pitched, very excited and nervous too.   As we all sat around Mom she said, "Now that I have all of you here I want to tell you . . . "  Then Mom started giving us a verbal will, so to speak.  She was telling us about insurance policies, etc.  My sister Val said, "Mom!  We don't care about money.  You don't have to tell us this . ."  But Mom was insistent, "No, I want you to know this --what I want."  Mom went on to say:

I don't want you to be sad for me.  If I die I'm going to heaven.  I will be in heaven with Jesus so there's no reason to be sad for me.  I do not want any flowers at my funeral.  I'm not there to enjoy them --its a waste of money.  Instead I want money to my church.  . . ."  

She continued on with specifications but only a few minutes after my arrival, a nurse came in and said it was time for Mom to go.  We all kissed her and hugged her.  Though she wouldn't let on, I could tell she was nervous and scared but deeper still, she held on so strong to her faith and trusting in God's will for her live --whatever that may be.  We were directed to another floor in the hospital where there was a waiting room for family members.  So as Mom was wheeled out of her room, we all headed up to another floor.

To wait.  Just wait.