Christmas
Home
by Therese Marszalek
FOR
Christmas
ITH CONFLICTING visit was quickly replaced with great heart, though, as I knew God had given
W
emotions I moved anticipation, for it had been two years us this special gift of time. He had
from Minnesota to since we had seen them. answered the prayer I had given up on.
Washington in the fall I cherished every moment during Several months later, on December 27
of 1990. Part of me their stay. We played Mom’s favorite of that year, we called Mom before we
was overcome with excitement and antici- game of Scrabble. Mom and I discussed left for church. Normally we talked on
pation of my upcoming marriage to a man lessons of the past, challenges of the pre- Sunday evenings, but I called early in the
I considered a true gift from God. Part of sent, and hope for the future. I told her, morning because I wanted to be the first
me, however, felt torn about leaving my as I had so often, of the many things to sing “Happy Birthday” to her on her
family, for we were closely knit together. I she’d been right about when I was grow- 78th birthday.
was particularly saddened about moving ing up. I reminded her of the countless After we sang, I talked to Mom for a
away from Mom, who was not only my times she’d said, “Therese, I know you short time and sensed something was
mother, but also a precious friend. don’t agree with this and you’re not wrong. She shared that she had been suf-
Mom had a healthy attitude about my happy about our decision, but you’ll fering from a headache and didn’t feel well.
move. Although she was painfully aware understand it when you’re older.” Those We wished her well and said goodbye.
of the miles that would separate us, she prophetic words came to pass. Although we had planned to be gone
was genuinely happy that I was entering When it came time for Mom and Dad for the remainder of that day, we stopped
into a season of life where I would find to return home, it was with great sorrow home after church, for I had forgotten
happiness with the man I loved. Her atti- that I bid them farewell. I had a grateful the dessert I had made to bring to a
tude consistently reflected her selflessness. friend’s dinner party. As I rushed into the
The first few years we lived on the house, I noticed the light flashing on our
West Coast, we traveled to the Midwest answering machine but hesitated to play
at least once a year to visit my family. But the message as we were pressed for time. I
as our family grew, it became less possible pushed the play button and froze as I lis-
for us to go home. My husband, Tom, tened to my brother tell me that Mom
and I continually asked Mom and Dad to was in the ICU at the hospital. He said a
come westward, although there was a blood vessel had burst in her brain and
hesitation on their part to travel across there was no hope for her recovery.
country. Tom and I continued to pray His words did not register in my
that they would visit us in Washington, mind. “How can this be?” I pleaded. “I
but after eight years, we accepted that a just talked to Mom two hours ago! How
visit from Mom and Dad would not be can there possibly be no hope?” I could
possible. not accept his words.
Suddenly in July, long after we had I contacted my family in Minnesota
given up all hope, they called and told us and learned that there truly was no hope
they wanted to come to Washington for for Mom’s recovery, for she was brain-
a visit. The surprise of the unexpected dead. While experiencing a severe
14 EVANGEL • DEC 2008
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38