November 30, 2005
The nurses asked if I would play for David, who was very close to death. His parents had just arrived at the hospice unit from their nearby home. He had been brought into the unit the night before and was not expected to live through the night, but now it was nearly noon.
David was only about fifty years old and had no religion listed. When a younger man dies, it's common that he’s lived pretty “fast and hard.” The parents had asked if there was a chaplain who could perform the service. Since they lived in town and needed a chaplain I was fairly sure they weren’t practicing Christians, so I began by playing some relaxing music.
After I finished a couple pieces, both parents had tears on their faces. Lois was on her second or third Kleenex and Ken had a hankie. I told them, "Many people hold on if they are not sure they will be accepted into heaven. I have a song that is Jesus speaking his acceptance and love that might be helpful to David. Would like me to sing it?"
They agreed. So I began, “I will come to you in the silence. I will lift you from all your fear. You will hear my voice, I claim you as my choice, be still and know that I am here. Do not be afraid, I am with you, David. I have called you by name. Come and follow me, I will bring you home. I love you and you are mine.”
By now Ken had his face entirely covered in the hankie. Lois had taken yet another Kleenex. My heart broke, sensing they were blaming themselves for his alcohol problems. I continued... “I am hope for all who are hopeless. I am eyes for all who long to see. In the shadows of the night, I will be your light. Come and rest in me.”
All the little hairs on my body stood straight up. That often happens to me when the spirit of the patient is leaving, or when angels or Jesus are in the room. I looked over at David as I sang the chorus.
“Do not be afraid I am with you. I have called you, David, by name. Come and follow me. I will bring you home, I love you and you are mine.”
“Ken and Lois... David isn’t breathing. He went with Jesus while I was singing the last verse.” (More crying)
I finished the last verse. “I am the word that leads all to freedom. I am the peace…..the world cannot give. I will call your name, embracing all your pain, stand strong now and walk and live. Do not be afraid I am with you Ken and Lois. I have called you each by name. Come and follow me. I will bring you home. I love you and you are mine. I love you David, Ken and Lois, you’re all mine.”
As the ringing of the final chord ceased I told them I would get the nurse.
When I asked for the nurse, the chaplain, who they had not met yet, asked if I thought they would need his assistance. I said I thought he should offer, so he followed me back to David’s room. As I played relaxing music, the chaplain asked if he could offer any assistance. Lois said, “I can’t even think right now.”
“Would you like him to pray with you?” I asked.
“Yes.” Lois replied.
The chaplain gathered the two together and laid hands on their shoulders as they slumped with heads together in their chairs. He thanked God for the loving and good memories they had of their son. They had a meaningful time of prayer as I continued to play softly in the background.
The chaplain said he would be available if they needed him and excused himself. They hadn’t wanted time alone yet, so I continued playing as they cried. Ken looked so broken; I felt in my heart that he thought he had somehow failed his son.
I stopped playing and told them, "David could not have had a more peaceful and beautiful parting. I know Jesus came and brought him home."
At this point I think the Spirit was speaking through me, and I told Ken I was sure the Lord knew they had each done their best and that every child has to make their own choices; sometimes they are good, sometimes not so good, but that’s how we learn.
What else I said, I don’t remember. But, as our time together concluded, I gave them each a hug and assured them the Lord would be with them. Then I left them to say their final goodbyes.
I was so thankful the Lord brought me to that room that morning.
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