Perfection
I last left you at "a miracle" but even with a miracle as great as Sister Vickies there is still a lot of healing and recovering that must take place. I often think of a miracle in the body being instant, and they are. Sister Vickie's tumor miraculously and instantly let go, but I imagine a miracle more like the blind seeing and the man who was told to pick up his bed and go. I imagine it to be a return to normal life as it was, only better. It's not always that way though. Patience is a great virtue. It's one we all should be more friendly with. Sister Vickie knew this friend all to well. It had been her constant companion for the 9 years that she had suffered and waited on the Lord to graciously heal her. Her wait was no more, but patience was still needed for the remainder of her recovery that lied ahead.
Sister Vickie steadily made progress. As everyone around her continued to care for her, they watched as a bit of strength was gained back a fraction at a time as each day passed. On the 25th of May Sister Vickie's sister Sister Sonja Gregory felt encouraged enough about her sisters condition that she decided to return home to Oklahoma. Sister Vickie's son also feeling encouraged by his mothers steady gain in strength, returned home with her to attend our annual hayride. Everyone felt well about Sister Vickie and her care. They just felt it would take a while before she was back to her old self again.
On Sunday morning, May 27th, a week since the tumor had been detached, Brother Larry and Sister Pam teamed up to give Sister Vickie a bath. Sister Vickie was able to sit up during her bath without passing out. Things were looking up. Sister Vickie relished in being clean again. It had been 16 days ago that she was last up and about. After her lovely and refreshing bath she refused to go back into that bed that had both nursed her and contained her for so many days. She requested that her recliner be brought in so that she could sit up. The family was happy to oblige her.
Later that Sunday morning Janaun arrived at her mothers home to find her looking clean and refreshed in her recliner balancing her checkbook. She asked Janaun to help her with the checkbook. As Janaun sat down to assist her mother they began to talk. Sister Vickie talked about how wonderful it had felt to be clean again. The subject then changed to something Janaun couldn't fathom. Sister Vickie explained to her daughter that she felt depressed. Janaun's heart sank " how could she be depressed after she had finally received her miracle?" But she was. She also explained how overwhelmed she was at the prospect of a lengthy recovery. She told her daughter "I wanted to go on." Janaun knowing her mother so very well almost asked her, "Oh, Mom, you didn't pray for God to take you, did you?" She couldn't bring herself to ask. She was to afraid of what her mother's answer would be. Instead she reminded her mother of everything good and did all she could to please her and make her happy. That Sunday was a good day, but Sister Vickie's words haunted her daughter and caused her concern.
As Monday came a dust storm began brewing outside. The family was awaiting the return of Brett. All was well and normal in what had become their normal. Around 5:00 pm about an hour before Brett was due home Sister Vickie quite abruptly and out of the blue started having difficulties catching her breath. She had to concentrate on her breathing. Talking became to laborious. Brett returned home to the shock of his mother being unable to breath well. He struggled with having left her and sat by her side talking to her and helping to care for her.
It was now Tuesday, May 29th and Sister Vickie's condition began to deteriorate. She continued to struggle for every breath. Those around her were baffled at the sudden change in her health. It seemed she would be well with just a little more care and patience. She had came so far and endured so much. The miracle that was so long awaited for had been received. Improvements were made each day. Life had returned to her but it seemed with each laboured breath life was once again leaving her. As the day became evening Sister Vickie's laboured breathing continued. The family ever by her side continued to take care of her. They were able to get her to receive, some, nourishment. With her breathing as laboured as it was, stopping to take a bite or a drink became ever so difficult. As evening became night the family did what they could to help their wife and mother in her time of need. Sister Vickie's Legs had become very achy. Janaun trying to ease her mothers discomfort rubbed them for her. As she rubbed her mothers aching legs and talked to her her 5 year old daughter came in to check on her Grandma. This was Sisters Vickie's first grandchild. They had a lovely strong bond the two of them. Autumn adored her grandmother and of course Sister Vickie adored her granddaughter. As little Autumn came in her grandmas room that late night she told her "Grandma I will take care of you." Sister Vickie responded by smiling and saying "that's so sweet honey." She had no breath for talking but she knew her sweet Autumn deserved a reply. After that she looked at her daughter and said "move along honey." Janaun very puzzled at her mothers words stopped and thought to her self "what an odd way of putting it. Maybe she is just trying to us as few words as possible? Or maybe she is just ready for some rest." As Janaun obliged her mother and put her children to bed she thought about those odd words. Her mother had never said anything like that to her before. With her children in bed she once again turned her attention to her mother.
Sister Nova and Sister Merna were the sisters that came in that night to help with the care of Sister Vickie. They convinced the weary family to rest telling them that if there was any change they would come right away to get them. Reluctantly but also very tired and weary they each one went on to bed knowing that their mother was in good care. Janaun, still haunted by her and her mothers conversation that past Sunday and by the seemingly out of place words that night, could not sleep. She laid awake, listening for every little sound . She was waiting to be called to the bedside of her mother, hoping at the same time that she wouldn't be. As she lay there she heard Sister Nova hurriedly moving across the house. She jumped up to meet her. The look on Sister Novas face was enough information. Janaun ran to get her father and brother. As they approached the room were their mother and wife lay the Sisters informed them that she was passing.
On April 29, 2008 Jaunaun writes in her mothers journal that at 11:46 p.m. her mother passed on from this life, clothed in Faith, Hope and Charity. She entered into the arms of her Father near midnight just as she had been baptized into his kingdom near midnight so many years ago.
Her obituary, written by her father-in-law, read:
Sister Vickies story is not yet finished.
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