The day before Easter. God is so masterful at delivering hope and healing at times that are unimaginable. A dear friend's wife died two days ago. I visited her last week and even though she slept throughout the visit, an occasional bubble making its way through the oxygen tube hooked to her nose, we took in the sunshine streaming through the sliding glass door, the peacefulness. I sang an old African spiritual. The room was filled with drawings from the grandkids, family photos and cards, a love poem from her husband. A note written by her daughter and pinned to the wall asked for gentleness from caregivers and to keep her mother in her own fresh nightgowns, located in the top dresser drawer. There was no mistaking how well she was being taken care of. I hope the knowledge that they surrounded their cherished wife and mother with this kind of warmth, not only at the end but throughout their life together, brings peace to this loving family.

Happy Easter and Happy Passover, dear friends.