For the past few years Mom was a resident in Porter Hills nursing home. Her memory and physical mobility were declining. And then the pandemic came and visits were restricted. Mom was alone more and placed on hospice care. We were grateful when in person visits were allowed once more.
Last week the nursing home had a covid-19 outbreak, and within a few days Mom passed away. We grieve her passing but rejoice that she is at rest with the Lord. She believed in Jesus and confessed him as Savior.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
Reflecting on Mom’s life and looking through photos, I came across a letter I wrote a few years ago.
Today is Mother’s Day and I am thinking about all the ways you have been a blessing. I have many wonderful memories.
Do you remember the house on Prevost, in Detroit? One day when I was little you let us eat lunch in our backyard. We were pretending that we were in a restaurant. We had a menu and you served our food through the milk box.
You planned many birthday parties—making a birthday cake and inviting friends over for a party.
On Easter Sunday I always had a pretty new dress and shiny shoes. Sometimes you sewed the dresses for Joyce and me.
You let me bake and cook, giving some guidance, but also letting me try recipes on my own. My confidence in the kitchen grew.
You always had books in the house for us and took us to the library. This was a great start for succeeding in school.
You raised five children and we all went to college.
You shared your love of berries with us. When my children were little you and Dad picked strawberries and blueberries. You gave them to us. You made applesauce for us and your grandchildren still remember.
I am thankful for Mom and glad that she is at rest in the presence of our Savior.
Hi Carol, In wanting to connect to express my sympathies to you and yours I sent a card that came back to me. Am wondering if I had the wrong zip code ( I had transferred addresses to a new book and may have gotten it wrong) could you message me your zip? God bless you with His love and comfort during this time. Much love, God’s Peace.
Beth ( Somero) Wirkkala
Hi Beth, I did receive one card from you (even though the zip code was an old one). Our zip code was changed some years ago to 60192. Thank-you for your kind words–it is a blessing to hear from you. May God bless you and your family. And may God increase our faith and steadfastness in this difficult time.
Even though we were friends throughout high school, I don’t ever remember meeting your mom. I don’t know if you met mine. I remember talking about our faiths. My mom didn’t encourage mixing with people who were not from my specific church. Even though we were of the Lutheran faith. Our specific beliefs were different. My mom died in a nursing home, too. She died in 2000 at the age of 92. At the time she was living at Houghton County Medical Care facility.
My paternal grandmother and my mother’s brother spent their last years at the Houghton County Medical Facility. I visited there every summer for many years. My mother was in Grand Rapids–closer for family. Yes, the church that I grew up in also had strict boundaries. I was glad to participate in Intervarsity at Univ. of Mich.