Yeah, I know, pride is a bad thing.... but hold on just a moment....
I found out one of our Church Members (about 88 yrs old) was recently enrolled in hospice care. She's an older lady who hadn't ever been to Church since I've been pastor.
I've been trying to follow up on these "gone" Church members, but some of them have joined other churches, have passed away, or whatever, so....
Anyway, it was brought to my attention that Betty had a rare form of thyroid cancer for which there is no cure. She supposedly has "weeks to live".
I stopped by her house to introduce myself, and had a good time visiting with her adult son and daughter, because she had "gone to lay down".
Next thing I know, she's calling from the other room, "is that the pastor?" So, daughter went and got her, and brought her to the living room.
She seemed to be in good spirits, and in the course of the conversation she assured me she knew she would be going to Heaven, she was ready to go, and probably wouldn't even cry. Well, "I might cry, but I don't think so - but I might". She was a sweetie.
She began to tell me about the wonderful nurse she has, and "you just missed her, she was here just 20 minutes ago". She went on and on about what a wonderful nurse this was, and how loving and caring she was, and how she took the time to "listen to an old woman babble". Betty's adult son and daughter threw in their 2 cents - this nurse was awesome.
I asked "from [local name] Hospice Care?" Betty lit up and said, "yes, her name is Jenny, and she's the cutest little redhead!"
I smiled, and said, "that's my daughter - that's my baby". They were amazed, and we talked for a while longer about funeral plans and such (at Betty's leading).
Jenny had been a hospice nurse for 5 years, then decided she wanted to work at the hospital in labor and delivery. (From end of life to beginning of life) After about 9 months of that, Jenny asked me, "Dad, would you be upset if I went back to Hospice?" I was surprised - why would I be upset? She said, "the hospital is a really good job, but Hospice is a Mission".
Interestingly enough, Hospice took her back with full longevity (as though she never left) and a serious increase in pay and another week of vacation.
But hearing them brag on my baby, not knowing I was her daddy, was.... I'm a proud daddy.
I found out one of our Church Members (about 88 yrs old) was recently enrolled in hospice care. She's an older lady who hadn't ever been to Church since I've been pastor.
I've been trying to follow up on these "gone" Church members, but some of them have joined other churches, have passed away, or whatever, so....
Anyway, it was brought to my attention that Betty had a rare form of thyroid cancer for which there is no cure. She supposedly has "weeks to live".
I stopped by her house to introduce myself, and had a good time visiting with her adult son and daughter, because she had "gone to lay down".
Next thing I know, she's calling from the other room, "is that the pastor?" So, daughter went and got her, and brought her to the living room.
She seemed to be in good spirits, and in the course of the conversation she assured me she knew she would be going to Heaven, she was ready to go, and probably wouldn't even cry. Well, "I might cry, but I don't think so - but I might". She was a sweetie.
She began to tell me about the wonderful nurse she has, and "you just missed her, she was here just 20 minutes ago". She went on and on about what a wonderful nurse this was, and how loving and caring she was, and how she took the time to "listen to an old woman babble". Betty's adult son and daughter threw in their 2 cents - this nurse was awesome.
I asked "from [local name] Hospice Care?" Betty lit up and said, "yes, her name is Jenny, and she's the cutest little redhead!"
I smiled, and said, "that's my daughter - that's my baby". They were amazed, and we talked for a while longer about funeral plans and such (at Betty's leading).
Jenny had been a hospice nurse for 5 years, then decided she wanted to work at the hospital in labor and delivery. (From end of life to beginning of life) After about 9 months of that, Jenny asked me, "Dad, would you be upset if I went back to Hospice?" I was surprised - why would I be upset? She said, "the hospital is a really good job, but Hospice is a Mission".
Interestingly enough, Hospice took her back with full longevity (as though she never left) and a serious increase in pay and another week of vacation.
But hearing them brag on my baby, not knowing I was her daddy, was.... I'm a proud daddy.
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