Monday, September 6, 2010

The Angel of Comfort

                                                                Paintng by Sheryl
In 2003 my mom, Evelyn, was diagnosed with lung cancer. It was found very early and after a bad experience we were thankful when a doctor said she could have surgery. 

20 days later our family was in the DMH waiting room while Mom was having surgery to remove 1/2 of her left lung. As we waited I prayed and listened to one tape over and over again. It was Elvis Inspiritional Music....music that Mom has always turned to when she felt troubled. I have continued that tradition in my life. There was one song that I claimed for my mom while she was in surgery. It was "There Will Be Peace in the Valley" Every time that song would play I would pray that my mom would feel that peace...Peace in Valley. I heard that song many times during the hours she was in surgery and each time I claimed it for her.

At last the call came to the family waiting room that Mom was out of surgery. The doctor came in to tell us that everything had gone very well. They thought they got all of the cancer and there would not even be any need for chemo or radiation. He said Mom was being brought down the hall on the way to recovery.

We stepped out into the hall and we could see her....she was looking around for us...her eyes so bright and filled with excitement. When she saw us the first thing she said was "It was wonderful! I dreamed I was in this beautiful peaceful valley and an angel was walking with me. She was beautiful with long flowing hair. It was so peaceful!" And then Mom was whisked away to recovery.

Oh my gosh...That was the song...That was my prayer!
Peace in the Valley.
Unbelievable!

Each day Mom grew stronger. Then it was time for her to spend a night alone at the hospital. Late in the night she began to feel uneasy and scared. She closed her eyes to pray and then she felt a tug on her toes. She opened her eyes to find her angel standing at the foot of the bed. Mom felt comforted and was able to go to sleep.

Her angel visited one more time. After she came home I spent  nights with mom caring for her and Dad. After a week we decided it was time for mom to spend a night on her own. As she tried to go to sleep she began to worry. She closed her eyes and started to pray. Once again she felt that tug on her toes and when she opened her eyes the same angel was at the foot of her bed. Mom felt comforted. She was able to rest and go to sleep.

Three times this angel came to visit Mom. Seven years later and still cancer free I ask Mom to describe her angel with the flowing hair that she had first met in the peaceful valley and she said she could not remember. But she does remember the feeling of comfort she received.

 What a wonderful angel
 for God to send to my mom.
A beautiful angel of comfort
 with long flowing hair.