Easter service with Mom…

Yesterday, on Easter Sunday, I called my mom to see how she was doing. Frustrated were the first words out of her mouth. She had been trying for about an hour to listen to CrossPoint Churches Easter service. She could see the video but could not get the sound to work. Jordan and I had just been with her last Sunday setting up her computer so she could easily listen to her Church services. Jordan had it working to perfection. Yet somehow Mom could not get the sound working on the day she wanted it most. She was beyond bummed.

So, after doing a little “tech” work of my own, I called her and asked her to listen up. I played the beginning of her Church’s Easter service. Pausing it for a moment, I asked if she could hear it. She said loud and clear, with excitement in her voice. I asked her if she wanted to listen to the entire message and she did just not right then, it was lunch time for her and she was heading down to the cafeteria to dine with a few of her friends. I told her to call me whenever she got back and I’d play it for her. So, she did.

Mom in Salina. Me in Powell. We shared Easter service. Was freakin’ magic. After Pastor Andy concluded, Mom and I talked about the power of reminders. Usually Mom will end our time with one of her Spirit infused prayers. Yesterday, I beat her to the punch. I prayed for us both.

I reminded Mom (me too) that our eye’s may lose their ability to focus, we may develop skin problems we can’t fix, we may have pains that become chronic, fingers and toes going numb, diseases may overwhelm us and we face aloneness leaving us saddened and dark. Yet we have our faith. We have our breath. We have this Spirit we cannot see or touch but we can sense it’s movement within us as clearly as we can hear each others voice while not seeing the person behind it. And, I reminded her, when we take our last breath we will be present with The Lord. Within the blink of an eye we’ll be surrounded by Saints. I began to shed tears of joy and gratitude as my prayer continued even though my voice was clearly choked up and difficult. Mom jumped in and put the finishing time on our shared service. It. Was. Beautiful.

Sacred.

As we prepared to end our call, I thanked her for her belief and for all she’s meant to me over these 65 years together. Strange thing this sense of togetherness…

We’ve been apart most of our shared lives. Fact. I left home at 18 and only returned to visit and never for very long. We share a heart for God and for each other. We know this and it’s so special. As the tears continued to flow down my face, I told Miss it might have been my best Easter ever. They’re all special but this one might be the last with my Mom, at least on this earth. It was a kairos moment. Forever grateful.

Who knew it would be our failure to use technology that would “force” us together. Who knew in the blink of an eye we could be transformed from bummed to blessed. Who knew?

Live hard. Love harder…