Today my Uncle Melvin Watson died, from a year long battle with cancer that ravaged his body. He fought very hard up until his last breathes. Jesus has been at work during his suffering and I have been impacted by witnessing his last days. I have never been this close to the process of death.
I have been blown away most by the love of my Aunt Dyan as I watched her lay in the bed for hours, stroking his head, lovingly massaging his hands and feet, whispering her last expressions of love as he lay unresponsive in his final hours. It was the most heartaching yet beautiful scene, the deepest emotions of love and anguish expressed, in sobs, moans, cries etc… What love…
It was a long journey…. I have been touched by the way Aunt Dyan cared for him day in and day out- over the past year loving him, serving him in all ways. This is what love is. I have been moved by the devotion she has for her husband, I know that they went through many trials over the years but Christ’s love triumphed in their marriage. What beauty is love, even in loss.
I pray that Jesus will fill her and my cousins with His love, that is an even greater expression of love in the midst of loss. That God would send his only son to suffer and die for our sins.
One of the most beautiful moments was on Thanksgiving evening when Travis and I my cousins went up to the hospital to visit with Uncle Bud for a little. I knew it would be my last time to visit with him when he was responsive and alive. He looked so orange and jaundice from the cancer, but we were able to get him to laugh a little. Before we left we had a short time of prayer. Jesus was with us as we prayed. During the prayer I heard my Uncle cry out to Jesus, thanking him for dying on the cross for him- it was the cry of a broken man about to see his savior. It was beautiful… it was love.
The word says, that perfect love cast out fear. This was a growing time for me to see that yes, death is ugly and painful for all involved. But Jesus’ perfect love should cast out all fear- as we put our trust in our savior we have hope that we will be with him in heaven- because of his great sacrifice and plan for redemption.
Thank you Jesus this Thanksgiving… Thank you for your love… thank you for your work in Bud’s life.
2 Comments
December 11, 2008 at 7:13 pm
Beth,
True and kind words – thanks for saying them. Love to all.
December 15, 2008 at 7:47 pm
This is absolutely heart-breaking and yet so beautiful and redemptive. It made me cry. Tears of sadness, but also tears of longing to be with Jesus too. Thanks for sharing this. It has made my day.