baptismal waters
by Elouise
I’m just back from our church, where we witnessed the immersion baptism of eleven young people. I thought back to this post about my Mother, looked it up, and decided to reblog it today–three years after I first published it. It still makes me tear up when I read it. I hope you enjoy it as well. Elouise
baptismal waters
rise gently enfolding her
world-weary body
* * * * *
I’m standing in a windowless, high-ceiling concrete room
with a concrete floor, drainage holes and air vents.
A deep whirlpool tub stands in the middle
filled with warm steamy water.
The room faintly resembles a large sauna minus the wood.
Functional, not beautiful.
Mother is in hospice care after suffering a stroke weeks ago
and then developing pneumonia in the hospital.
Her ability to communicate with words is almost nonexistent.
Today she’s going to be given a bath.
I’m told she loves this, and that
Sister #4 and I are welcome to witness the event.
For the past hour caregivers have been preparing her–
removing her bedclothes, easing her onto huge soft towels,
rolling and shifting her inch by inch onto a padded bath trolley,
doing all they can to minimize pain and honor her body.
Finally, they slowly roll the trolley down the hall.
The hospice sauna room echoes with…
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what a beautiful moment to witness, both in the church and with a loved one. A great reblog, and I’m glad I was able to read your lovely post ❤
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Thanks, Kim. This post is one of my favorites (about my Mother). There’s something about witnessing young children getting baptized by immersion, and witnessing this immersion of my Mother that overwhelms me in a good way. 🙂
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I worked in a nursing home for a few months, witnessed the treatment, helped where I could, and was so encouraged to see a good “news” story in a way to measure up to where I’d been years ago. It was so touching and I felt like I was there to bear witness to it too….now that’s amazing writing craft right there😊💕
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Awww…thanks Kim! There’s nothing like witnessing what happens in many nursing homes to soften our hearts toward our senior seniors. That’s why this hospice experience was, for me, such a remarkable moment. And happy you were able to enter it with me! 🙂
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