If you joined me here last week then you know that I shared, Receiving that phone call we all dread!
As I became physically stronger over the proceeding days I knew I had to seize the window of opportunity to travel, to see & be with my loved ones at this critical time.
My dear hubby accompanied me, as the main driver, for our long road trip south.
I have two loved ones from the same household in hospital! Both urgently arriving by Ambulance a few days apart. And are patients in two different hospitals due to there differing medical needs.
But let’s pause here, as I need to grab a cuppa, a treat & get comfy before we proceed as its been a huge few weeks.
I have a Russian Caravan tea with an Apricot & coconut slice to munch upon. What do you have?
Now we’re comfy…let’s continue…
Unfotunately, the hospital visiting hours were at the exact same time for both loved ones in the different hospitals, in different towns of the same region. We stayed in a little village in between.
An Emotional time
It was a marathon effort to visit both on the same days within the same time slot!
But I felt it was extremely important to see them each day that I was there.
Hubby heroically drove me to, fro & in between the hospitals through city traffic each day to spend precious time with my significant loved ones.
This enabled me to focus my limited energy on spending time with them.
Both were relieved to see me, as I was to see them. One mentioned that they thought they were never going to see me again because I had been so unwell to travel.
It was absolutely heartbreaking to see both of them under these circumstances. But such a precious one on one time with each.
When it came time for me to leave the one who is most critically ill, I said to them that we would try & get down as soon as I was able again. This loved one said the following…
“No, this will be the last time I will see you. We won’t see each other again now until we’re in heaven together…”
You can only imagine the overwhelming emotions I had within that moment. Heart rendering expressions of love were exchanged between us, significant words spoken.
None of us know our exact time but we all do have a time…
“Since each of our days are already determined, & the number of our months is wholly in Your [God’s] control & we cannot pass the bounds of our allotted time…” Job 14:5
We truly need to appreciate the time that is given to us & think about the legacy we’ll leave behind when our time does come!
Let me ask you the following dear friend;
- Are you leaving love in your wake?
- Or is it a legacy of your unresolved anger, frustration & bitterness towards others?
You see we don’t have control over anyone else’s choices, behavior, actions or reactions towards us.
But we do have control over our own choices, behavior & reactions towards others!
And personally I choose love, God’s love! A legacy which is far more lasting & reaching then any human love!
God’s love & forgiveness shines through
God’s peace & serenity is now clearly present in both of these loved ones, whom have personally found His love & grace for themselves.
We never know when we’ll say ‘I love you,’ for the last time.
Since losing two of my children & my late husband, I make it a priority to end every conversation & contact I have with all my loved ones expressing my love for them in some form or another.
I love you!
It’s the last phrase hubby & I say to each other each time we part & the last thing we say at night. Leaving no words that may have been uttered in frustration to linger!
Instead leaving love as the last word between us. This is the legacy to leave our dear loved ones my friend.
Until next time,
Jennifer
You’re most welcome to join me now in The Reading Nook
Or in Prayer
© 2020 Jennifer M. Ross, teawithjennifer.blog, All Rights Reserved. Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com
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I’m so glad you were able to make the trip but so sorry that it’s under these circumstances! What a blessing your presence was to your loved ones. I pray for your peace for whatever happens. Your love to others is such a gift to them that will travel with them, wherever they go.
Thank you Lisa, I appreciate your kind encouragement 😀
Aw, Jennifer … thank you so much for sharing this poignant post. “Leaving love as the last word” is such wise advice. Hugs to you, my friend.
Thank you Lois! I appreciate those hugs! 😀
I am so glad your dear husband was able to drive you to see your relatives. You ask a wonderful and important question: Are you leaving love in your wake? It is something I will be thinking about for a long time.
Yes, I’m blessed with a special hubby 😀
It is thought provoking, isn’t it!
What wise words, Jennifer! Always leave with words of love.
Thank you Anita. 😀
Sometimes it seems a very short time between our loving first hello and our sad last goodbye. I was touched by the effort you and your husband made to allow this gentle parting.
Thank you Elizabeth. Yes, I agree time really does seem to go so very quickly.
Jennifer, I am so sorry about your loved one’s illness. I am so glad you were able to visit. Those are hard goodbye’s and so precious. Thank you for the reminder to always end our conversations with a sweet word. My prayers are with you and your loved ones. Maree
Thank you Maree, I so appreciate your sweet prayers. 🙂
The greatest is love. The most influential thing we can do is love. Our human love sometimes runs dry or becomes weak with “wear”, but we have the love of the Lord, a supply that is continually replenished as we spend time with Him so we can share that love with others as we spend time with them. I am so glad you had such a beautiful opportunity to visit with your loved ones. God bless you and keep you in the depths of His great love.
Thank you! Yes, it’s such a wondrous thing that God’s love is continually replenished…how blessed we are 😀
Absolutely beautiful post and such a concrete reminder. Thank you! ❤ What a gift you received to share such a moment of love and were able to share thoughts from your hearts. I wish we could all have that experience! Blessings to you.
Thank you ♥! Yes, it was a very precious moment & time of blessing.
Jennifer, I am so sorry about your loved ones’ sickness. It has been such a hard time for everyone, but critical sickness is so overwhelming. Choosing to love is a powerful decision, it is the only way to live life. Because of Christ great love, we can love others.
Blessings my friend,
Pam
Thank you sweet friend, it has been an emotional time but one pressing into God’s love & comfort. ♥
My Love to you both. God bless
Thank you Jan 😀