It was difficult emotionally but my wife, a nurse, knew she must care for Julie, her actively dying sister. Over the next few weeks my wife, Vickie, tended to Julie in a way only a sister could. Julie had said after more than a decade of fighting her disease she was done. After accepting FAIRHOPE’s service she was brought home. During the next two weeks Vickie very softly prayed to herself “Thy will be done” as she cared for Julie. Being a retired nurse Vickie had frequently witnessed those times to be born and those times to die.
As the end seemed close the thought occurred to her to do something with Julie’s hair. She knew Julie was going to Heaven but also knew Julie wouldn’t want to go anywhere with “her hair looking like that”. Julie was motionless and it appeared that her Hour had come so Vickie decided not to disturb her.
The next morning brought a perfect Fall day; clear skies and a gentle breeze. In late morning while alone with her comatose sister Vickie said, “Julie, let’s do something with your hair”. She turned on a local Christian radio station. While reminiscing out loud about their childhood she shampooed Julie’s hair, dried it, and brushed it the way Julie liked. Leaning over she whispered to Julie, “There, you look good for Jesus. It’s okay to go.”
Within minutes, she noticed that Julie quit breathing. In the background the song “Thy Will” by Hillary Scott was repeating the refrain, “Thy will be done”. Julie was in His embrace.
Laying her head on Julie’s shoulder Vickie cried.
The end of life is a spiritual event and nothing else.
Author Rick Schneider
