People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.
If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.
Give the world your best and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway.
For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It never was between you and them anyway.
-Mother Teresa

Friday, March 8, 2013

Tender Mercies

In January, when I went to see my mom, I was in shock at how far she had deteriorated.  She did not respond or talk to me at all really.  She got a new dose of steroids after that and it helped.  When I went to take care of her a month later, she was talking more, was more alert, and a little bit stronger.  She remembered my name, and called Jason, "Jason McCord":)  I was with her all day and I read to her one of our favorite books...."Daddy Long Legs".  I read for probably 5+ hours and she was attentive and looking at me the whole time.  During funny parts I would look at her and she would be smiling and I know she knew what was going on.  Later, when my dad asked her what I was reading to her, she replied, "Daddy Long Legs".
I told her about Sophie coming into the bathroom and asking me if I was "dropping a deuce", and she laughed and laughed.
My most cherished memory of that weekend was when my mom was wheeled out of the bathroom by a nurse.  I was laying on one side of the bed and when she was put into the other side she said, "Well there's my lovely daughter".  That is something she used to say all the time and I never thought I would hear her say it again.  What a tender mercy from the Lord.  That weekend was a true gift to me.  I didn't think I would see that much from her ever again.  I know it's not going to be all peaches and cream every time, but the Lord gave me a gift of one great weekend with a little glimpse of my old mom again.  I'm truly grateful.