Sisterhood Of Lake Alice (29 page)

It had been four days since Rebecca had been admitted. Dr. Tolzman advised Monica that although they had found some brain activity on Rebecca’s last MRI, his recommendation was that she be transferred to Pioneer Nursing Home by the end of the week. He told her that the staff would make the arrangements and give her more details about the transfer.

Monica came back into the ICU waiting room looking shaken as she told them about what Dr. Tolzman had recommended. She sobbed as she told them that this was not how she wanted Rebecca to leave this earth. Although the nursing home was a good place for many, this was not where Rebecca should be. What if she woke up? How could Monica explain to Rebecca why she had allowed this to happen?

*

The answer was simple, but the problems they faced to make it happen were massive. Lindy worked for two days to make sure all of the arrangements were made to have Rebecca transferred to Emily’s house. Lindy signed documents stating that she would be Rebecca’s primary nurse and a temporary nurse had been hired to fill in the times that Lindy needed to sleep. Seeing there was a do not resuscitate order, the rest of the issues had already been resolved. Monica planned to stay with Rebecca in her peaceful room.

Finally, the ambulance pulled into Emily’s driveway to bring Rebecca home. The little elevator proved to be a wonderful solution for getting her upstairs. Quickly, Rebecca was in her own bed surrounded with her love of music and all those whom she loved.

They took turns being with her, bringing their coffee mugs and meals to her bedside. They talked constantly, laughed about all of their adventures over the years, and prayed with her. They wiped her face with a cool washcloth and brushed her beautiful hair. They played her favorite songs and sang. They simply wanted Rebecca to feel their presence and for her to know that she was loved.

*

Monica was sleeping on the chaise lounge in Rebecca’s room when she awoke to a strange sound. She sat up to see if Linus, Lindy’s puppy, had once again snuck into the bedroom. Instead, she saw that it was Rebecca making the sound. She yelled for the others to come. Rebecca lay there, wide-awake. She looked as though she had just awakened from a long night of sleep. She stretched and coughed as she tried to raise herself up. Monica told her to lie still until Lindy came to help her. Rebecca wanted to know how she had gotten here, as her last memory was on the cruise ship.

All at once, there was chaos as Emily, Grace, and Lindy came running into the bedroom. They stopped short and stared in amazement at Rebecca’s pale blue eyes and her smile. Rebecca cleared her throat as she softly said, “Well, girls, you have some explaining to do. How did I get from the ship to my bed without knowing it? Why do all of you look so surprised? What is going on? Lindy, talk to me.” They gathered around her bed as Lindy told her all that had happened the last week. She finished by telling her that they never left her side through the entire ordeal.

Rebecca had tears in her eyes as she told them that she had, indeed, felt their presence. She told them that she had been dreaming of floating through a blue sky and seeing Grandma Ruby waiting for her with her arms outstretched. She felt freedom, joy, and great peace. She felt herself soaring in and out of clouds that made her feel warm and loved. Then she looked up into each of their faces and asked, “Did you sing “Amazing Grace” for me? I heard it so clearly. Did you know that I sang along with you? We had such perfect harmony, and the words were dancing around me.” Grace told Rebecca how they stood beside her bed, each of them touching her as they sang to her.

*

Lindy left to call Dr. Tolzman and tell him about the miracle that was taking place at Emily’s. He told her that he would come over and that he needed to talk with Monica. He arrived ten minutes later. As Emily showed him into the living room, she was shocked by the grim look on his face. She expected that he would be happy that Rebecca had come back to them. Yes, he was wrong in his diagnosis, but he should be happy for the surprise recovery. He quietly asked for all of them to gather so he could talk to them together.

Monica was the last to enter the room; for the first time in a week, she had a smile on her face. Dr. Tolzman cleared his throat; he really did not want to tell these special women what he had to tell them. “Well, I am so glad that Rebecca is in this lovely home, surrounded by her mother and friends. However, I need to tell you that this is probably Rebecca’s final hours. The medical books do not have a solid explanation for this, but it often happens just before death. The body has one final rally. It is as though the patient wills herself to be awake and spend the last few moments of life with her loved ones. Some who have faith call this God’s final gift of life. Scientists have tried to prove otherwise and cannot seem to find a physical explanation. Regardless, I am here to tell you to not waste one precious moment that you have been given. Say what you need to say and have no regrets. I am officially off duty for the next forty-eight hours but would like to stay here with you.”

Monica said that she knew that this was God’s last gift to Rebecca while she was on this earth. “Let’s use every moment to celebrate Rebecca’s life and time with her. I think each of us should have some alone time with her. Emily, will you go to her first? Let us not waste time with tears; we will have plenty of time for that later. Now is the time to share joy with her.”

*

As Emily climbed the stairs to Rebecca’s room, her legs felt heavy. Before she reached for the doorknob, she took a deep breath, brushed her tears away, and put a smile on her face. The visiting nurse had helped Rebecca to sit up with the help of piles of soft pillows. Her hair was brushed, and she wore a new blue, satin nightgown. Emily thought to herself,
She looks like an angel
.

Rebecca patted the side of her bed and asked Emily to come sit with her. As Emily grabbed Rebecca’s hand and looked into her sweet face, the tears began. It was Rebecca, who dried her tears and tried to comfort Emily. Softly, Rebecca told her that she knew that she was dying and that it was perfectly okay with her. “God has given me a preview of heaven, and I am happy to be going there. I have never felt such peace before. I am so happy that I have faith in him and that I know the joy that is waiting for me. I know you will be sad and miss me. I will miss you, too. I want you to know that I know you will be an important woman. You are blessed with gifts of leadership. Use them well and make me proud. Your life has been a painful journey, and you will have the opportunity to make this a better place for others. I have valued your friendship. You have given me the gift of fortitude. You have been my example of how to move on when I thought I could not move one more step. I thank God for the day, so many years ago, that he brought us together. Be at peace and know that I will be your joyful guardian angel.”

Then she squeezed Emily’s hand and told her to go bring Grace to her.

*

When Emily came into the living room, they were all amazed at the look on her face. Instead of tears, they saw a gentle smile. Emily looked relaxed and at peace as she told Grace that it was her turn to go to Rebecca.

Grace left the room without a word and ran up the stairs to Rebecca’s room. Rebecca saw Grace standing at the door, and she lifted her arms to receive Grace’s gentle hug. Rebecca asked for a sip of water. After she drank a little, she turned to Grace and began to speak. “I don’t think I have ever told you, but Grace is the perfect name for you. You are full of God’s glory and show his love through your gentle and kind ways. Fergus Falls was always meant to be your home. I know there were times when we all left you behind and that it was painful for you. However, look at what you have done for Fergus Falls. It is so much more than your delightful clothing store. You have given Fergus Falls spirit, laughter, and happiness. During the long winter nights, your bright talents have made people come to be entertained. You use your talents so well.

“For many years, I was jealous of your family. I watched you as you all sat around your living room, playing games and simply enjoying each other. Even after Denny’s death, you all knew how to care for each other. I have also watched you grow into a compassionate woman. You so freely and without hesitation simply enjoy life. I want you to know that I am ready to go to God and looking forward to that blessing. Do not mourn for me, but celebrate what we have discovered as women—the gift of friendship, laughter, and honest conversations. You, my dear friend, have a lot of love in you; give it away and watch it come back to you in many exciting new ways. Now I think I need to talk to Lindy for a little while.”

Rebecca closed her eyes as Grace let go of her hand and silently left the room. Before she closed the door, she turned to look one more time at Rebecca. Yes, Grace said to herself,
That is what an angel looks like
.

*

Lindy was sitting at the top of the stairs, knowing that it soon would be her turn. As Grace walked up to her, she just put her hand on Lindy’s shoulder and continued to walk down the stairs. Lindy was well aware of what death looked like and how no two people left this earth in the same way. Some fought until their last breath, while others found a peace to almost welcome their passing. She knew Rebecca would find peace.

When she walked into the bedroom, she noticed a glow around Rebecca’s face. Rebecca quickly took Lindy’s hand and said, “Well, my bigger-than-life friend, we both know that this is the end. I hope that you can see that I am ready. You have been so much fun for me. Where I am dull, you have added color and sparkles. When I was timid, you transferred your big love of the adventure to me. You helped me to be strong. You showed me how to be brave, and yes, at times, you gave me the joy of learning how to act silly. God has given you a very special gift of bringing comfort and honesty to the sick. I know these past few weeks have been very difficult for you. You have been my nurse as well as my friend. However, I need to thank you for being both. Without your assistance, I would have never been able to take the cruise. Oh, what fun we had being pampered, spoiled, and treated like queens. Thank you for making fun-filled memories for all of us. Use your gifts wisely; bring comfort and joy to those who need your special, gentle touch. Your gifts are needed by so many. Now it is time for me to see Mom. Promise me that you will be with her and care for her after I am gone.”

Lindy could not get the words out of her mouth. She simply nodded, gave Rebecca a hug, and left the room.

*

Monica was waiting outside Rebecca’s room. Although she did not mean to, she overheard the conversation that had just taken place. She knew that she was saying good-bye to her daughter. There was nothing that she could do to stop what was happening. Monica would have gladly traded places with Rebecca, but that was not how this day was going to end. Her last gift to her precious daughter would be to tell her it was okay to leave.

When Rebecca saw Monica at the door, she thought that Grandma Ruby was standing beside her. She motioned her to come to her bed. Monica kicked off her shoes and climbed into bed next to Rebecca. She held her as she had held her as a little girl, gently rocking her and kissing her cheeks and forehead. Rebecca sighed and then started to speak.

“It is so strange that even as a grown woman, I still need your hugs and gentle kisses, and most of all, I need you to know how much I love you. You always made me feel that I was loved, wanted, and could do anything I put my mind to. You gave me a sense of purpose in my life. You could have been bitter about how life treated you, but instead, you found happiness in our precious little house on Bancroft Street. I learned to honor others because of Grandma Ruby and the entire heritage she passed on to me. You have sacrificed for me. No one could have given me a better life than you did.

“I know how painful this is for you, and I wish with all my heart that I could take away the pain this is causing you. I want you to know that I am ready. I am ready to see God and soar to heaven. I cannot wait to tell him what a wonderful woman you are. Think of me as being in the arms of God, with Grandma Ruby at his side, and know that it is okay. I love you so much, Mom.”

Monica just continued to hold Rebecca, gently rocking her frail body. Softly, she kissed her cheeks and told her that it was okay for her to go to God. “I am going to be all right,” she told her over and over again. “Rebecca, go to God and rejoice in his glory and grace. You have earned a special place with him. You have been my gift. Now I give you back to him.”

Monica fell asleep with her daughter resting gently in her arms. When she awoke an hour later, Rebecca was gone. She stood up and looked at her child, fixed her hair, and straightened her nightgown.

Slowly she left the room and told the others that Rebecca was gone. Then she took her purse, put on her coat, and left. She walked down the streets of Fergus Falls back to her little house on Bancroft Street. She made a cup of coffee and ate her daughter’s favorite oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. She knew that somehow, tomorrow she would begin to find a way to fill the deep hole within her. She also knew that she would find some way to honor Rebecca’s life.

Two days later, they gathered at Bethlehem Lutheran Church for a small, private memorial service. Rebecca’s body, per her request, was donated for research. Dr. Sal had come to be with Lindy. Emily, Grace, and Lindy sang “Amazing Grace.” They knew they would never sing that song together again.

Chapter Twenty-Nine
 

Two Years Later

Emily

Emily truly adored the home that she had created. The once-cold house had been transformed into a loving home for her and Lindy. They hosted many fundraising parties. There always seemed to be someone at the kitchen table sharing a cup of coffee.

After Rebecca’s death, Emily decided to become involved in city politics. She knew that she would never sell the house or live anywhere else but in Fergus Falls. She served on a committee to bring new business and industry back to the downtown area and helped to organize a fundraising drive for the expansion of the high school. She had been successful in bringing a new vitality back to Lincoln Avenue. Emily felt that she had finally found her purpose in Fergus Falls.