Waiting

 All three of my babies were overdue. Sam and Josh were both 10 days over, Ben was four I think.

Those overdue days were the longest days of my life.  Somehow when you are waiting for something as important and thrilling as a birth every second longer that your pregnancy goes on feels like eternity

Now I am sitting beside my Mum as I wait for her to die. And the same feelings are here. I know it is going to happen and I dont know when.  Every change heralds one step closer to her last breath. But just as with birth, everyone's dying is different. During the waiting I have been intermittently really busy and then really quiet and peaceful.  Today is a peaceful day.

I wrote a poem about it.

Recipe for a good death

Take one great GP who has been matured in wisdom and kindness

Add humour and a good dose of common sense
Place in a bed at home and stir gently and consistently
allowing air into the mix
Generously introduce visitors of all persuasions
(the more colourful the bedside guests the more colourful the death)
Add bunches of flowers to taste.

If family members are available enlist them now,
however if this is not possible do not worry
You can do this.
Do not rush the process. A really good death cannot be hurried

At some point, when you judge appropriate
add some nursing care and plenty of medication
Don't forget to keep seasoning with humour
Finally, sit back and wait
and watch
and listen
and wait
and pray

Advent is a time of waiting. We are waiting for Jesus to come back and rescue us from this terrible mess we have got ourselves into.  Every year it seems that things in the world are worse and the waiting is harder. We groan inwardly as we watch the news and wonder when. When are you coming back Lord?  How long oh Lord.  Rend the heavens and come down Jesus.

But to everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven.  There was a day for my boys to be born and it wasnt the one the hospital predicted.  There is a day alotted for Mum to die.  I hope its really soon. But it will be when God decides.  There will be an end to the current world order and Jesus will bring that government I was talking about the other day

Waiting is hard. Jesus please be with us as we watch and pray and wait for you



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