This is Cindy...
Prior to cancer
Dave has been a runner
I remember when we first were married
He ran in tennis shoes :)
(He was also an excellent tennis player
He played for South Kitsap HS and Biola University)
He wanted to run a 4 minute mile.
Cancer has been an endurance race
There have been some sprints
and there have been a lot of grueling, long up hills
He is now on the last lap
The crowds in the stands cheering him on
have been amazing
But now we are all watching in hushed silence
as he nears the finish line.
The Hospice nurse and social worker
were here yesterday.
What caring, compassionate, knowledgeable women.
They helped us to better understand this final lap
They described him with one foot here
and one foot in heaven.
He is looking back to us
as we remind him of our forever love for him.
And he is looking forward
to those awaiting his entrance into eternity.
We have seen this as he rests peacefully
and then we stir him, seeking a response.
It seems like it makes him struggle to return to this reality.
So now we are the fans watching in hushed silence
as him finishes the race.
We let him rest
We sit with him
We gently put a hand on him
We quietly sing a song to him
We whisper affirmations of our love to him.
I read a beautiful liturgy yesterday
this phrase jumped off the page to me
"We are not nursing this dear one back to health,
We are stewarding his slow surrender of it."
Wow!
We are stewarding his slow surrender of it.
What a privilege.
You are in my prayers. The Jim and Darlene Anderson have been praying for your family. This is the hardest yet sweetest time as you watch your loved one transition to heaven. Oh, how I remember the beautiful smile on Mom’s face as she reached toward heaven.
ReplyDeleteLots of hugs.
💕
ReplyDeletePraying for You All.. ♥🥀
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful sentiments, thank you for sharing ❤️ praying for you all. Thankful God gave us Dave even For it now seems like a short time.
ReplyDeleteCindy - I've said it before: yours is the harder job, saying good-bye when that's the last word you want to say. When Dave is relocated to heaven, may you know joy as you watch take place. Heaven became a huger reality for me as I watched my mom move locations. Gone will be the pain, the fog, the need for needles, the discomfort. Gain will be Jesus. Praying for you all...
ReplyDeleteGod bless you thru this journey....
ReplyDeleteMy heart aches for you all. I haven't known your Dave on person but twice but I've gotten to know him through Stephanie and the kids and these past few years through this journal. What lucky world to have had him in it! My husband said to me yesterday I wish I had a 10th of the faith Dave has. To us he and you are real Christians unlike the very many who claim to be. Cindy our thoughts and prayers will be with you as you help steward Dave on home. Blessings dear. Stephanie knows how to reach us if you need anything
ReplyDeleteWise words, Cindy. It is an honor and sacred privilege to be able to lovingly attend loved ones to the end of their earthly journey. Hugs and prayers for you all.❤
ReplyDeleteI’ve been thinking of you during this time. I know God will hold you.
ReplyDeleteThese are tears of appreciation for the most beautiful process of letting go and saying goodbye I've ever read. Thank you for sharing this, Cindy, and helping those of us not so close be among those cheering him on. My love to you and the whole family.
ReplyDeleteOne foot in, one foot out. Such a vividly heartbreaking picture, and yet tragically it is hopeful. Our beloved Dave is nearing his final rest. And he has fought and run so hard. Praying for you Cindy, and the whole family.
ReplyDeleteYou paint a beautiful picture of your love and our Saviour's love. What joy will there be in heaven when Dave arrives. Love you, my sister!
ReplyDeleteAs with any runner, there are fans, coaches encouragers and mentors. You have all done an amazing job of helping him make it this far. This is the most painful finish to watch, but a blessing you are all there to love him through the ribbon. We are praying for you all. Love you so much.
ReplyDelete- Ru and Steve
So privileged to be on this life journey of Dave's through his blog...now yours, Cindy. Really, it's been you both, he who has ran this cancer marathon, and you his faithful partner! How we love you both! We are praying for ongoing streams of peace.
ReplyDeleteCindy, how beautifully you have portrayed Dave's race and his surrender. Well done...both of you for the lives you have lived and the love you have given. Such a testimony! To God be the glory! We do stand with you in hushed silence but also in prayer. Sending love.
ReplyDeleteCindy, although the miles have limited contact, my love and respect for Dave have never receded. From rooming with him at Biola and DTS, I will always remember his commitment to Christ, unswerving allegiance to God's Word and, yes, his passion to serve our Lord wherever that may lead. And lead it has to that which none of us, as spectators of his cancer journey, would never invite and, yet, with deepest admiration stand in awe. Please be assured of my prayers...more now for you and your family...knowing Dave is in His care...which has always been the case. In Christ, Carmen
ReplyDeleteIt is a blessing to have him at home with you all sharing this holy ground. What a gift, an honor and a blessing. "Be still and know that I am God."
ReplyDeleteSo proud of you, my dear daughter, for the beautiful things you are writing on this journey with Dave. May you experience God's peace as you continue. I Love You, Mom
ReplyDeleteDave, see you in Heaven
ReplyDelete❤️
ReplyDeleteAs I retired oncology/hospice nurse, You and Dave are my heros.
ReplyDeleteColleen
I have never met you but I've met Daniel once in person through a common friend. As he posted links on his Facebook account, I came to your blog. I have been praying for you and your family for the last several months, that you can feel God's love and find rest in His hand.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your testimony and your faith.
I am so happy you are surrounded by your family during this last lap. Your life has been a very meaningful marathon. Sending love to you and your family.
ReplyDelete