At Home with the Lord

Cherie’s mom, Shirley Petroff, was 90 years old when she died this spring. 90 years is a distinguished achievement in itself.  But we were able to witness what really made her life notable–not the number of years, but the transformation she experienced in her latter years and the ways that she responded to these changes.  Until 4 years ago, she lived independently, drove her car wherever she wanted to go, went to church for worship, and managed her own finances.  In other words, she took care of herself and was healthy enough to do whatever she desired. Nearly 4 years ago, on our way to church, we received a phone call to inform us that Cherie’s mom had experienced a heart attack and stroke. This completely changed her life and her days of independence were over, just as our days of increased responsibility for her were beginning. During the following months, we were pleased and surprised that instead of becoming increasingly bitter with her losses, she over all became a nicer and more gentle person.  We would never have imagined that a stroke could make a person nicer, more appreciative and thankful for the people in her life.  Cherie heard from her mom words of thanks and gratitude and kindness in a way she had never heard before.  Her mom’s reflection on her losses led to a daily declaration that instead of coming from  depression expressed the desire of her heart: “I want to die and be with Jesus.”  Since she couldn’t argue with God’s timing, each day she would then follow up with an observation, “I guess He doesn’t want me yet.”  Her thinking was not as sharp anymore and even watching television had become difficult, but she enjoyed listening to hymns and often Cherie would read Bible stories to her.  With her memory loss, the stories were new every time to her even if she heard them over and over again.

So it was truly an answer to her prayers when she over a couple of days began to slip into less and less alertness and then experienced Jesus invitation that it was time for her to come home.  Two weeks ago, we gathered with Cherie’s family in Chicago for a memorial service and interment.  All Cherie’s mom’s children, all her grandchildren, and even her great grandchildren came–from Hawaii to Belgium–to give thanks and celebrate this life and to affirm God’s love and grace.  God was good to give her mom a rich and long life; but also to allow her best character–her gentleness, kindness, and thankfulness to blossom despite the losses of her life.