"Mom: Walks, Runs, Speaks"
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5:15pm - NEW YORK - 07.15.2005
I just got off the phone with the Lovely Bride. And roughly fifteen minutes ago, Mom woke up for the first time in really more than a day.
In more than eight months - she lept to her feet, took steps somewhat gingerly at first, and then with recklessness - she bolted.
For the first time in better than several days - her speech slurred no more. She was articulate, resolute, and above all honoring to the God who made her.
Yes about fifteen minutes ago she was ushered into the presence of the one she wanted to meet in person, more so than President Bush, Dr. Billy Graham, or even her real favorite Mary Englebright. And now the conversation she is having... one can only imagine.
As Aimee and I spoke we wondered what her social calendar will look like. How many friends, from so many days gone by will she reconnect with? There will be some surprises. Mostly there will be joy!
We wondered out loud if when she meets my mom, if they will drink tea, trim roses, and talk long of their love for God, and His gift to them in their children. They would have been nearly exactly the same age. They were seperated by only a few days.
One thing we know they will be thankful for... the end of those horrid chemo treatments, and the itchy wigs, scarfs, and hats... can't you hear them saying it? "If I had to scratch that spot one more time..." No more radiation. No more doctors probing, touching, poking.
We're also quite sure that as much as they may have enjoyed spending a weekend getting to know each other at the Biltmore in Santa Barbara, that neither of them will find the current accomidations crowded, too hot, too cold, and above all clean enough to eat off the floor - but so beautiful you'd never want too.
Both of them will probably share with the other that they left their families the best way they could. Surrounded by them, singing with them, praying for them - being loved by them. Both will share how one of the final things they could remember hearing before that journey - was the voices of their first borns - telling them they would be ok, that they had done a great job of bringing them up in the ways they should go, and to not worry.
Even though my mom did not know The Lovely Bride at the time - she will tell my Bride's mom how she had prayed for her. In return Celeste will tell Sharon that her daughter Aimee had assured her that when she had blessed her marriage to Kevin - he in turn pledged to take care of her - and to not worry.
I wonder tonight, if the first breath of the new air their restored bodies took in - felt as exhilirating, as their final breaths prior to their journey felt labored.
