Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: End (02/13/06)
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TITLE: Just Beginning | Previous Challenge Entry
By Janelle Bailey
02/19/06 -
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Rushing through the glazed hospice doors, Emma glanced anxiously about for her mum, finding her sheltering in the waiting room, limp and withered with grief.
“Mum,” said Emma, bending to embrace, “can I see her?”
Emma’s mother nodded meekly in reply. “Your brother is there right now. You go on in with him.”
Dimmed lights led Emma’s way down the hall to her Grandma’s room. She found her brother Brian hovering her Grandma.
“Hey, Sis,” he said smiling weakly, “you want some time alone?”
“Yeah, thanks Brian,” replied Emma appreciatively, grateful for Brian’s generosity. They hugged briefly before he hurried off to share some comfort with their mum.
Emma watched him leave, and then sat herself down slowly in the stiff hospice chair. “Grandma,” she said softly, taking the old woman’s frail hand in her own. “It’s Emma, I’ve come to see you.” Emma did not expect a response. There hadn’t been one for days, and now, well, no one was expecting one now. Emma began talking, as was her habit of late. Not talking about anything in particular, but simply allowing her thoughts and emotions to spill over lips in a gentle cascade.
Nancy was aware of Emma’s chatter, but only as a low hum in the background that resembled speech. Many people have reported that in the last moments before impending death, their lives flash before them. Something similar had been happening to Nancy these last few days. She had been taking a leisurely prayer journey of sorts through her life, and now as everything she knew was about to end, she could at last see clearly. All that had seemed random happenstance before, now made sense. She could see the tapestry of her life right side up and finally she could see the “why” of everything.
She knew time must be drawing close now; she had caught up to herself in her reminiscing. Gradually Nancy became conscious of Emma’s words.
“Grandma, I don’t want you to go. I still need you. We all need you. Please don’t leave us.”
Nancy’s heart broke at the words. Emma needed to know, just as she knew now, that it was alright. God had brought her though life to this very point. But he wasn’t ending it here. No, this was just the beginning!
Nancy could feel her life ebbing away, there were not many moments left for her in this body. “Lord, just give me one minute,” she pleaded silently. “Let me speak to Emma one more time.”
It barely registered with Emma that her Grandma’s eyes had opened. So she was stunned to hear the words, “Baby Doll, please don’t cry.” She stared in shock at her Grandma, before her mouth took action, calling loudly for Brian and her mum.
“No,” whispered Nancy, “there’s not time. Listen Baby Doll, don’t cry. I’m not ending. I’m just beginning. Don’t cry sweetheart. Jesus is taking me home.”
Nancy’s mouth moved silently a little more, and then was still. Her eyes closed on her granddaughter’s face for the final time, and opened in glory.
Seconds later Emma’s mother and brother burst into the room. Emma stared at their shocked, grieving faces, realising they mirrored her own moments before. “Come,” she said gathering them close. “I’ve something to tell you.”
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