The family sits on either side of the bed.
The reedy rhythm raises her chest
slightly up, slightly down.
The quiet breathing slows, pauses,
resumes again, shallower now.
Life seeps away as night deepens.
Death dawns, gentle as silence.
This was the final hour.
Around the bed
life gathers and pools
in tears and words
as they tell her story,
the quality of her presence
in dear specific moments,
crowding one upon another
as memories kindle memories.
Each story saying one thing:
“She loved deeply,
she was deeply loved.”
This love illuminates their faces,
eyes brilliant as diamonds
against the black windows of night.
Hours pass and finally the words slow
and they sit in silence.
Standing, they kiss the cold brow
and say their good-byes–
we leave sharing smiles of wonder
that sorrow could produce
such a rich harvest of joy,
even in this final hour.
I am a Mennonite pastor currently teaching theology at Conrad Grebel University College in Waterloo, Ontario. I’ve served congregations in Ontario and most recently, Alberta.