Ashen skin

as wrinkled as my shirt.

Delicate, fragile fingers

that could break with

the smallest pressure.

Tiny, petite frame

so still. Too still.

“Oh, Nana.”

Tears slip down my face.

Can this be the same woman
who had been so

vibrant and alive?

I can scarcely recognize her.

There’s no healthy rose

in her cheeks;

no energetic glow in her skin.

The once, ever present smile

no longer adorns her face.

I gently place my hand

in hers.

Her eyes flutter open

and slowly focus on mine.

“Peanut. You came.”

“Of course I came.

I love you.”

She looks so small and helpless.

My Nana. My strong Nana.

A sob ruptures from

My throat and

Tears run in rivers

Down on my cheeks.

“Don’t cry, Peanut.

I’m ready.

I want to go

Home.”

Stubbornness straightens

My five foot and

Two inches of frame.

“You are home.

Home is here,

with your family.”

A gentle smile softens

Nana’s pain riddled face.

It is the same smile

she would give me when

I was a child.

“No, child. This is not my

home. My home is with my Savior.”

Nana’s face tenses

and her hand becomes

an iron fist

as she is subjected

to another pain spasm.

Two years.

Two years she has battled

this war.

Two years of valiantly fighting

only to lose.

I watch as Nana battles

The pain. Soon her face

Softens and her hands

Loosen their grip.

“Sing to me, my sweet Rosalyn.

There’s not much time left.”

“I can’t, Nana.” Tears stream

Down my face and I’m not sure

I can sing past the lump in my throat.

“Yes, you can. You’re strong. Be strong for me

Now and sing. I want to hear your

Beautiful voice one more time.”

So I begin to sing our favorite song.

“On a hill far away

Stood an old rugged cross,

The emblem of suffering and shame;

And I love that old cross

Where the dearest and best

For a world of lost sinners

Was slain.”

As I sing Nana smiles and closes her eyes.

“So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,

Till my trophies at last I lay down;

I will cling to the old rugged cross,

And exchange it someday for a crown.”

I finish singing as Nana’s breathing

Slows until it stops altogether.

I place her hands gently across her stomach.

“Rest, Nana. Now you have peace. I love you.”

I whisper and kiss her cheek before

Leaving the room.

You’ll always be in my heart.