Life Change
Before I left the building last night, Prisca called to tell me that her dad called - something was wrong with her mom and he was calling EMS. She'd call back to let me know what was up. If you knew Prisca's mom and her health history, this was not necessarily cause for alarm. But after the weekend they had with her, Prisca knew in her heart this was different. She called back from the hospital to tell me her mom died. I had just left the Post Office, dropping off some 1st time guest letters, and was heading home. I drove straight to the hospital to be with my good friends Jeff & Prisca.
When Jeff & I found Prisca, she was doing what Prisca has always done - caring for her mom. This time, however, her mom was absent from her body, but present with the Lord. But even so, Prisca was there wiping her mom's brow, talking, laughing, crying, sometimes even helping the staff with their job. Jeff embraced his wife and escorted her into another room while they finished their job. We talked, laughed, cried, and prayed. Family and loved ones needed to be called. Phones were ringing off the hook.
We left the hospital and headed to their home. Prisca needed to tell her girls about their Nana. Prisca was able to relay a story they had just read about a woman dying. She talked about their Nana needing to be free from her earthly body, free from pain, free to dance. She talked about their Nana seeing Jesus and a whole bunch of loved ones they knew. In her heart, Madison knew. Mahli, of course, was Mahli. They were very sad, but both handled it very well. Like everyone else, they cried, laughed, and told stories. If you knew Jesse, Prisca's mom, you know she would have liked a little drama.
Jesse was the true, one and only Drama Queen. And I mean that with love and respect (knowing that if there was a way, Jesse would send some Angels to wreak some havoc). Sorry Prisca, try as you might, you and the girls will only be Drama Princesses in your Mom's kingdom. To meet Jesse was to never forget her. She was larger than life. She joked that when she died she wanted the family to contact a taxidermist and mount her body sitting in a chair with her arm raised and finger pointing, directing her family and everyone else in her path. She was the true Matriarch of the family.
But for all the drama, this one thing I know, it all brought everyone around her closer to Jesus. And Jesse knew Jesus. And after all of life is said and done, that's all that really matters - knowing and loving Jesus and loving people. Jesse did both. Like I said, Jesse was larger than life. But her generosity, her love for her husband Ted, her love for her children and grand children, her love for her friends and family, and her passion for God were even larger. Every time I saw Jesse, no matter her condition, she always ministered to me.
Before I left Jeff & Prisca's home last night, Prisca sat at the piano and started playing, "Blessed Be Your Name." Read the words, give thanks to God, love and hug your family and friends, and pray. That's what Jesse would want:
Every blessing You
pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in
Lord still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be Your name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's all as it should be
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord blessed be Your name
Jeff and Prisca, as always, it is an honor to serve alongside of you through all of life's ups and downs. You would and have gone through the fire with me and I for you. I love you and so does Coastal. Like I told you last night, Prisca - your mom loved Jesus, loved you, and knew how much you loved her.