I got a text message early this morning from my son saying that his fiance’s mother, Leslie, was beginning to transition toward her death. I hadn’t heard dying referred to in that way before, but it made a lot of sense as I thought about it. There are specific changes that occur as our bodies begin to stop functioning and prepare us to die. For those who are followers of Christ Jesus, it prepares them for accepting their heavenly bodies and begins the process of ashes to ashes and dust to dust. Tonight at 10 p.m., she finished her transition, and she has now gone home to her heavenly family.
Anticipating his call (admittedly, not quite this soon) that she had died, I’ve thought a lot about how we transition our lives. For Leslie, she no longer suffers. She is being welcomed by family and friends who have gone before her and by a heavenly Father whose love surrounds her in warmth. She has no more pain, no more worries, no more fear. Her transition to the purest form of blessing possible is now complete.
Her family transitions to sadness mixed with some relief. They are relieved her suffering was so brief (she was diagnosed with lung and bone cancer just two months ago) but sad because they cannot have her with them physically anymore. There will be many adjustments for them since my son and his fiance lived with her and her husband. They will each assume new roles and new responsibilities. It will be tough on all of them and has been since she got sick, but they have also grown and matured so much in the last few weeks. I am so proud of my son and his fiance for how they worked together and handled this difficult time.
I also have thought about the transition that occurred in our lives when Lynn was diagnosed with MS, then again when he fell and was left helpless on the floor for several hours till I could come to rescue him, and then again when he came home from the hospital so weak and de-conditioned that he could not sit up on his own or do any self-care. We transitioned from being a couple fully involved in our church to a couple who only attend church electronically now. We used to help others, but now we need others to help us. He used to build and create with his hands, and now he must do so with his mind.
Transition implies a gradual change from what was to what is. After the transition, you’re left with a new reality. It takes a lot of adjustment, and sometimes it’s a struggle. Sometimes, it’s a welcome change; other times, we kick and scream, but if we’re wise, we accept it and move on. We take a deep breath and move forward, taking it one step at a time without looking too far ahead.
Leslie has transitioned into her new life, and her family is transitioning into theirs without her. I pray for comfort and peace for them all and am thankful for their faith and the knowledge that they are not alone.
