Being With Her is Being With God
By Miles Gloetzner, Executive Director and Fool for Christ
Smiling Mother Teresa Painting by Chas Fagan
“They are giving us a chance to be with Jesus 24/7.”
I was feeling busy. Trying to wear too many hats. And not wearing the most important one. Then I came into her room. She is quiet. She hasn’t said a word since she arrived. Her body relaxed, alive. Her hands are cool to the touch, unmoving. Her breathing is slow and shallow. In and out. In and out. Sometimes I wonder if it will be the last one.
I settled into a chair next to her bed. I decided to be present with her - body and heart. Then I realized that I was with God.
As I looked at her beautiful face, these reflections came to my heart:
She’s in the moment of her dying without judgement - she knows me clearly, openly
She doesn’t need me - her body knows how to die, I just get to be a witness
She doesn’t need anything - she’s free of earthly cares
Everything is a gift - anything I do for her is more than what she needs
She’s fully alive and fully herself - I get to enter into that fullness of life with her
She’s always there - while someone is with her all the time, I can also go in - leaving my world and entering hers
I want to stay there with her in that heaven. And when executive director things pull me away, I’m always wanting to go back to her. To the peace, the love, and the life that she offers me - and to all willing to care for her.