Another Angel Is Welcomed Home
| Wind-sculpted snow forms soft heavenly feathers |
“I thank my God every time I remember you.” Philippians 1:3 NIV
As we made our way to the airport, stars twinkled in the dark sky of early morning. That time when people say it’s darkest before the dawn. My sleepy head trying to reckon a nighttime sky with the morning hour of 5 o’clock. Silence filled the car as we traversed a sparsely driven highway, but our thoughts were racing.
It seemed only fitting that the stars should twinkle and be the only illumination on this otherwise pitch dark morning as heaven welcomed home its “Angel Unaware.” I had not remembered Hubby’s story of how his sister, Carol, received that term of endearment. A title that Hubby’s brother mentioned when he wrote her obituary.
Sitting on the tarmac bound for Minnesota, Hubby began to tell me the story. Words caught as he recaptured family memories from those days.
“Do you know where that name came from?” eyes filling, he glanced at me.
I shook my head, “No.”
He turned away, eyes brimming with distant memories.
The words caught again as he spoke, “When we were little, my Mom used to tell us about the story written by Dale Evans…”Angel Unaware.”
He looked full on and I reached warm comfort to his hand.
“It was the story of the little girl they (Dale Evans and Roy Rogers) lost,” his lips quivered.
For Hubby’s family, it was the story of the sister and daughter they had lost to Down Syndrome. When Carol was a toddler, it became evident that the best way to care for her was through services provided by the state. Hubby and his family would visit Carol frequently on weekends and take her for walks and trips to the malt shop in town. But the hole in their family remained.
In later years, Carol was able to live in a home with only three other residents and work at a laundry where she performed a repetitive type job. We visited Carol every time we made a trip to Minnesota and continued the usual walks with her. For Hubby, it hurt because there was no recollection in Carol’s hazel eyes of who he was. It was one of the deficits that accompanied this disability for Carol.
On this last visit, the emptiness of Carol’s room sucked the breath from us. While the staff displayed their love for Carol in a way that was typical of her care throughout the years, the icy cold of the December winter chilled our bones even within the home. The reality of her loss hit hard. The reason for our journey icy clear.
Yet, the winter chill would not prevail. The warmth of the loving, stable, and secure environment that had protected and provided for Carol’s physical and emotional health all these years would set our hearts ablaze with gratitude for their effort and praise to the Lord. The Lord had blanketed her with His care through others hands.
While we sat in the small church service for Carol, the snow swirled around mounding high drifts on a blizzardy day in Minnesota. Caretakers and residents who planned to come were shut out by the treacherous roads. Extended family outside of the Twin Cities could only send their regards. But for those of us who were gathered in the church, warmth filled our hearts while tears spilled over at the Lord’s presence. He had lifted her On Eagle’s Wings that she might now run and not grow weary, walk and not be faint (Isaiah 40:31). He had covered her with His feathers, and under His wings had provided a refuge and fortress for Carol (Psalm 91:1-4).
What began as a starlit journey for us and ended in a blizzard, marked the end of Carol’s earthly journey but just the beginning of her complete joy and freedom in the Lord’s presence.
Hubby’s “Angel Unaware” has made it home.
Postscript: In my heart, I had prayed that the Lord would hold the blizzard off for one more day so that all those who knew and loved Carol would be able to attend the church service. I pondered why this had not transpired according to what I thought would be perfect. Then I came home and read a post by another blogger that said, from a human standpoint, nothing was perfect the night Jesus was born. My heart has settled.
Will be posting more of the Minnesota blizzard after Christmas. May your Christmas be filled with the love of our Savior.
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What a difficult time for all of you. And yet you’ve shared your faith beautifully.
Ann~thank you for your encouraging words. It gives us great joy to know that Carol, at last, is able to rejoice and dance before the Lord–free of any bodily restrictions.
Susan~thank you for your empathy. May His light and love always shine here.
Amy~thank you for your sympathy. The Lord has graced us with His peace. Sometimes we just have to rest in it and not get caught up in the hectic pace.
From My Heart to Yours,
Janis
What a beautiful story that gives us context for Carol’s life. Though, as you remind us, it is only the end of her *earthly* journey–it’s the beginning of “complete joy and freedom in the Lord’s presence.”
So sorry for your loss, Janis. It is never easy when someone you love leaves you. Thank you for sharing this story with us. I have missed hearing from you. May God give you and your family peace this Christmas.
Even in the midst of pain and sorrow, you shine brightly for our Jesus. May you know you are wrapped snugly in HIs love today.
Have a joy filled, love overflow Christmas,
Sarah
Thank you for sharing this. I’m glad you were able to make it through the weather. I have often thought and wondered about what happens with people who have Downs as they grow older. We often hear of the babies and the cute little toddlers, but these grow up and I don’t hear of their stories as adults. So I am grateful that you shared Carol’s story. Now I understand more than I did before. I’m grateful she was able to hold a job and live where she was cared for, and grateful you were able to make it back for her homegoing. May God’s love comfort you as you grieve.
Janis – This was beautiful. I was weeping the whole time. I have had an affinity for the mentally challenged ever since I was a young girl in elementary school. Their innocence and sweetness always touched my heart. In the best sense of the meaning – I call them “human puppies” – just full of joy and love and devotion, nothing else. I can only imagine Carol’s homecoming – and her joy in the presence of the Lord who made her – with a mind now fully intact, and a heart now fully engaged in the wonder of the Lord’s presence. And she will be there waiting for ALL of us – an angel who is now – ETERNALLY aware!!
My best to all of you, especially your husband.
And a very Merry Christmas to all…(yes, Chip too!)
GOD BLESS!
This is a beautiful post. I am sorry for your loss.
Merry Christmas!
~Jennifer
Sarah~thank you for your thoughts and for your wishes for a joy-filled Christmas. I know the Lord will wrap us in His love.
Kathy~I’m so glad this post cleared up some questions you had about people with Down’s Syndrome. There are varying degrees, and some people can function fairly well in usual settings. Others require much care, as did Carol, in order to live a healthy life. We are so grateful for the care she received and her life made whole in the presence of the Lord.
Sharon~your comment, how beautiful. She is Eternally Aware! Thank you for your precious thoughts. I’ll pass them on to Hubby. And Chip will get some extra special treats for Christmas.
Jennifer~thank you for your sympathy. I’m so glad you had the chance to stop by.
May you all be blessed abundantly with the extraordinary love of Jesus this Christmas~and always.
From My Heart to Yours,
Janis
Very sweet and tender, Janis and Tom.
Karen via email
A beautiful picture and an even more beautiful story. The most powerful statement I’ve heard in a while was your last one “Then I came home and read a post by another blogger that said, from a human standpoint, nothing was perfect the night Jesus was born. My heart has settled.”
What an incredible encouragement for when we don’t understand the reasons with our limited understanding. We see only a sliver of time – God sees the beginning and the end.
Thanks so much for sharing this you really touched my heart.
Rachel
Praying for your family as you deal with the loss of an angel in your family. Such a tough time of year to experience loss and then a blizzard on top. Hugs to you and yours@!
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I am so very sorry for your loss, Janis. Your husband’s story about his sister is beautiful. My God bring you peace and hope in your time of grief.
Sending love and hugs from afar…