 |
|
|
Vera was of Russian descent, spoke very little English, and was one of the favorites among the nursing home staff. Although she was probably, at least to some degree, in almost constant pain, she managed to smile at everyone and greet each person with a few words spoken in her native language.
Perhaps it was the kindness evident in her eyes or maybe the gentleness of her voice that revealed her goodness, her genuine love for every person she encountered. Vera’s elderly husband was a retired Russian Orthodox priest who visited his beloved wife every Sunday afternoon which was when one of their two sons was able to make the three hour drive to the nursing home.
Eventually the day arrived when Vera became unresponsive to the nurse’s comments. Her husband was notified of her deteriorating condition and, in his broken English, he told the nurse that their second son would be flying in to be with his Mother. They all would get to the nursing home as soon as possible.
Near 8:30 that evening, the LPN (licensed practical nurse) on duty noticed a man walking down the hall. ‘This would be Vera’s son,’ she thought as she made her way toward him. “Please follow me,” she said as she led the way to Vera’s bedside. “As you can see, she is not responsive this evening.”
He pulled the chair over to the bedside and took Vera’s hand. In response, Vera gave his hand a very light squeeze, so holding her frail hand in his strong one, he leaned back in the chair and closed his eyes.
“Well, I’ll just leave you two then,” whispered the nurse as she left the room to continue her room checks and to update some resident charts.
Shortly before midnight, the nurse returned to Vera’s room to find them both asleep. Upon checking for Vera’s pulse, she realized that Vera had died peacefully while holding her son’s hand.
Lightly touching the son’s shoulder to awaken him, she gently said, “Sir, I am so sorry, your Mother has died very peacefully tonight while you held her hand.”
“Oh, but nurse, this lady is not my Mother,” replied the man. “I came in tonight to visit Tom Simms just down the hall. But when you said to follow you into this room - well, something led me to take this lady’s fragile hand. Then she squeezed my hand as if she knew me, so I thought perhaps tonight she needed a visit more than my friend Tom.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
|
|
|
