Words of Comfort, Words of Sorrow unexplainable

Today at 6:52am

My Mom's brother died this am at 5:24 08/16/2008.I know, people die every day, every minutes, every hour..etc.But wrapped in his passing is a collection of miracles and infinete loss that I hope to impart some hard gained truth to those who take the time to read.

My uncle was on his death bed for most of the week. He has one other brother in TX, and two sisters ( my mom and my God mother), His beautiful in every way wife, Stephanie. To briefly give you the scope of the miracle- The four siblings- mom, godmother, uncle Dave, and Uncle Jack havent all talked in over 10 years.

My mom got the call on Wednesday that he was in the Cancer Care ward, and should come say goodbye. This door of Opportunity was a scary one, for my mom was carrying a heavy burden. She needed and so desperately wanted to hear the words ' Im sorry ' for something that happened between them over 50years ago. The hand squeezes of Thursday seemed to give her the peace she wanted. Yet her ears and her heart needed to hear those words.I sat there crying tears for my mom, as she told me the details of that night, and all the dividing that truth brought to her family over the years.I told my mom wisdom that I know, and knew she never read or heard.The gift of forgiveness. Its hard, but when someone says they are sorry, or sometimes even in the absence of an ' Im sorry', it is such a freeing feeling to say- ' I FORGIVE YOU'.

Well, my mom watched her brother take his last breath just a few moments ago, and before he did- he had all the clarity and vocal strength of months ago, and called out my mom's name, and she rushed to his side.' What do you want to talk about ' my mom softly spoke.
My uncle looked her in the eye and stated ' Im So Sorry'to which my mom graciously replied,
' Its ok Jack, I forgive you' for every time her mantra-like repeating' I forgive you, ' His ' Im sorry's occurred, he squeezed her hand tighter.
Everyone in the room knew what he was sorry for.My aunt told my mom after
he had passed, ' Im so sorry for doubting you'.

The miracle of Forgiveness is such a powerful thing. Im so greatful that they were able to have that moment.But.. all this has brought up the event of my own brother's passing.I wasnt so lucky to have a bedside confession with my own brother. Not many people are that lucky.the death of a sibling, cuts closer to your own mortality than anything else.

The issue I am grappling with , and need prayer upon, is the emptyness I feel for my Uncle. You see, I hear so many stories, of people offering words of comfort to their loved ones by saying ' He/She is in a better place.'I cant for sure say that about my uncle. What an awful feeling that is?!!I pray that the discussion with my mom will enlighten her to the importance of Accepting Jesus as her Savior. And how I so desperatly want that for her, for my whole family.I sooo wish I didnt have this truth in my heart as I mourn my uncles passing. Yet- Im so eterneally greatful that I know the Lord. I soo wish I had peace that he was in a better place. And that we will all see him again someday.

Why do we Horde the Good News, The truth, The Gospel, the need for Salvation- to ourselves. It is this Greed/ this avoidance of th emost important conversation you can have with a family member, friend, stranger-- that haunts me now. Yet proplels me to open the door of opportunity that God has placed in front of me.To talk to my mom about Jesus. To lay at her feet the Truth, The Gospel, The need for Salvation.I trust, that if you are still reading- you will seek out your own doors of opportunity in your life to plant seeds with those in your life.Death should be a victory, a glorious release to know in your head, your heart that your loved one is truly going Home. not a soul-slap- that you failed your loved one by not sharing the Miracle of all Miracles.

I covet your prayers, My family covets your prayers.

In His Name,Julie
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