Sunday Sentiments: Remembering Nita

 

Today marks four years since we said our earthly goodbyes to Ryan’s mom. I remember that day so clearly and remember all the kindnesses the Lord gave us so we could even be there when she passed away.

            For those of you who might be newer readers around here, Ryan’s mom battled a brain tumor for about five months, and during her final weeks of life, we were part of a rotation of caregivers who spent the evenings with her at home. The night before she died was our regular night, and though our evenings usually included other visitors stopping in to see her, that night it was just the three of us. Ryan knew time was short and was able to have one last night caring for her and talking to her.

            We weren’t even supposed to be there the night she died, but Ryan had a nudge in his soul that we should go. He suggested we eat dinner at home and then drive out to the cabin, but I reminded him the cabin was overrun with food, so we could just eat there – and we should leave as soon as he got home from work. So we did. The hospice nurse told me when we arrived that she imagined Nita had maybe 24-48 hours left.

            She had 45 minutes.

            We all gathered around her bed and prayed her Home to Heaven, and I was so glad Ryan was there with her. It had been his biggest prayer throughout her illness – that he could be there with her when that moment came. And he was.

            I’m grateful for the kindnesses of the Lord that allowed us to be there with her that night, but I’m also glad for the life she lived and the impact she had on Ryan.

            When I look at his life, his character, his personality, I see the intentional molding and shaping of so many people who invested in him throughout the years. But I see a lot of Nita. I see her compassion, her kindness, her love for people and stories and music. I see her empathy, work ethic, and even her smile.

            Nita was proud of all her children and never missed an opportunity to share about them. I know she was always proud of Ryan and who he became. I believe she would be even prouder now of all he’s invested in over the past four years since he sat beside her to hold her hand one last time.

            I am so thankful for the talks they were able to have in her final days. I’m thankful he was able to care for her like he wanted to do, even though I have no idea how he physically did it all for those months. I’m thankful he was there with her when she died, and I’m thankful he has continued to live his life in the ways she raised him to live.

            I’m thankful for her kindness to me and how she made a place for me at the table when I married into the family.

            We miss her and look forward to reuniting with her someday in Heaven!