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_________________________________ If you enjoy this free daily email service, I encourage you to Michael's long awaited book Straight From the Heart: "A Celebration of http://storiesfrommyheart.com/michael_t__powers/ To order your autographed copy at no extra charge, send a check or Just joined us and want to see all the past stories we've run? http://www.storiesfrommyheart.com ___________________________________________________________ GOING HOME By Irene Budzynski
It was a joy to visit my aunt. She'd fling open the front door of her little house and spread her arms wide, "Oh! I've been waiting for you!" An enormous bear hug would follow. It was only a month ago that we had sat at her kitchen table drinking tea and laughing about the foibles of being women. Laughing, laughing. Always joking with Vera. Did we lose ourselves in mirth so the newly diagnosed cancer wouldn't claim her? By finding humor in tragedy, did we think we could postpone the inevitable death? Madly driving, unable to stop the flow of blinding tears, my life shared with Vera scrolled across my mind. Prayers fell from my lips like a waterfall. God, how I needed the strength to say my final good-bye to this woman with her childlike love of a joke, her easy chuckle, her intense love. There was no time to waste on empty noise masquerading as conversation. I had told her so many times what she meant to me, but had I said enough? Lying in her bedroom, eyes closed, Aunt Vera no longer could speak. Her breathing was shallow, her face occasionally pierced by a flicker of pain. I sat on the bed, enveloping her thin shoulders in my arms, sobbing, dissolving all intentions of holding myself together. Here was the beloved woman who had buoyed spirits when times were rough, who had looked for, and found, the silver lining in all life's problems. Now her voice was silent. When the tears dried I set to work. If I couldn't stop her death, then I would make it easier to exit with grace, with the dignity she deserved. She couldn't talk, but I could communicate with the power of touch. Washing her face, combing her hair, and massaging her feet became tender acts of love. They were the ultimate valentine, the final nourishment of the person who would never again listen, guide, encourage. Simple gestures of comfort took on a life of their own as each stroke, each caress, bore my affection and prayer of thanksgiving for her. The warmth of my flesh on hers spoke volumes. Holding her hand, I told her one more joke: "Did you hear about the woman who went into a pet store?" Ever so gently, ever so tender, I felt her hand tighten around mine. No sound from her lips--just a squeeze--her only way left to say, "I love you." The family stood at her bedside whispering heartsongs to the woman who had laughingly gone through good times and bad. As her spirit slipped away, we gave praise for her presence in our lives. Her children wrapped their fingers around her cold hands and her head was cradled by her son. How befitting the hardworking mother whose claim to fame was her love. Aunt Vera died the way she had lived--surrounded by family. There is no doubt that she was met in the Kingdom of Love with a big hug and the greeting, "Oh! I've been waiting for you!" Irene Budzynski, R.N.
Irene Budzynski, R.N. (irene_budd@yahoo.com) lives on the East Coast, has written several stories for SFTH and Heartwarmers, and feels blessed to have met many wonderful people through her writing. One of her stories, "More than a Paycheck", will be included in a new Heartwarmers book to be published later this year.
"Prayer should be the key of the morning and the lock of the night."
"It is good to praise the Lord...to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night." --Psalm 92: 1,2
"Nobody will lend you an umbrella when it is raining."
"At the end of your life, you will never regret not having passed one more
"One reason I won't compromise is because I believe honesty helps you
"Kristi and I saw the movie, 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' recently and I _________________________________________________________ REQUESTS: Dear Friends and Family, My daughter is here visiting from Missouri and today she lost her wallet...Please join me in asking God to help her get it back .. _ _________________________________________________________ The copyrights to the stories that appear in SFTH are owned by the Video Imagery (Michael's Video Production Business.) "I thought of you first after my family sat down to watch the video we gave Let me make you a video from your pictures or home movies! AOL Users click here: Video Imagery Would you like to see your story in Straight From the Heart? AOL Users click here: Writer's Guidelines Purchase your copy of Michael T. Powers' new book! For a sneak http://www.storiesfrommyheart.com/order_our_book_ AOL Users Click Here: Straight From the Heart: A Celebration of Life SUBSCRIBE: "I need a daily source of inspiration and encouragement in my life!" To become a Straight From the Heart Member send an e-mail with Then get ready to laugh, cry, and be deeply touched by some of the best UNSUBSCRIBE: All you have to do is send an e-mail with "Unsubscribe" in the Give it a day or two to be processed... Do you feel as if life has no meaning for you? AOL Users click here: The Four Spiritual Laws
http://storiesfrommyheart.com/michael_t__powers/ AOL Users Click Here: Straight From the Heart: A Celebration of Life To order your autographed copy at no extra charge, send a check or
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Touching Lives - One E-mail at a Time! Author Michael T. Powers - HeartTouchers @ aol.com
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