We are here today, and gone tomorrow.

Have you ever thought about what happens to someone as they lay on their deathbed? What will transpire from earth to eternity? Yesterday, my husband and I witnessed our family friend take his last breath. It was so peaceful.

My husband and I had the privilege of visiting him in the hospital two weeks prior to his death. We spoke about our friendship for the past 10 years, and how enriching it has been. I recall the days when he visited me at work alongside his wife, and I would walk them out to their car afterward. He gladly shared with us how he’s been married for 61 years, and couldn’t understand why some couples can’t work through issues in their marriage, but are quick to call it quits. During the course of our visit, we shared Jesus with him, and my husband led him to the Lord. Just before we left, I promised I would come back to visit him. He was looking forward to my visit. He was 94 years old and was looking forward to his 95th birthday on July 22nd.

Over the past decade, I mainly built a relationship with his wife. We occasionally called each other, but I never hung up without telling her to give him my love. As I heard he was in hospital, it was fitting to put everything on hold and visit him. After his release, I called his house to check up on him, but was told he wasn’t doing well. I couldn’t understand how someone could be chatting and laughing, and in less than a week things drastically change. The day before he died, I called the house again, and was told by his son he was taken to the Hospice and was in his final days. I knew I had to visit him again, not only to see him, but to be with his wife; my friend of ten years.

That evening, my husband and I walked into the room where he was surrounded by family and friends. I walked over to his bed, held his hands, and told him, “I came back to visit just as I promised.” As I held his hands, they were extremely cold. When the nurse came in to examine him, she told us he’ll be leaving any moment. I didn’t realize in less than an hour he was going to leave this world. I felt a bit anxious, but then I remembered, less than a week ago, he gave his heart to the Lord. He was about to enter a place of perfect peace and leave this dark, sinful world behind.

In a few moments, the person I loved joking around with would leave us, and my friend would become a widow. I sat beside her on the chair, and held her hand as we all listened to him taking his final breath. My husband stood there with tears in his eyes, as he remembered the death of his own father. The nurse came in the room one last time, checked his pulse, and announced at 9:21 pm on June 27th 2019 my friend was gone. I just sat there embracing his wife of 61 years as she sobbed. A few others were sobbing. I guess I was in shock, knowing I had just witnessed for the first time the death of a friend.

His death made me reflect on what truly matters in life and how we ought to live. Let go of that grudge, forgive and love, keep the peace, serve your neighbour, be slow to become angry, use your words to affirm and encourage others. Let us cherish each moment and live in the now, because tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. One of these days we will leave this earth and everything behind; all of our wealth, prestige, material possessions and even loved ones. Instead of fussing about accumulating earthly riches and gaining social status, let us be concerned about the legacy we’ll leave behind, the impact we’ll have on those around us, and most importantly, how we will glorify God with our lives.

My question is, are you ready for the after life?

And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment - Hebrews 9:27

In the process of writing this blog, my mom passed away. My next blog will be dedicated to her