On Tuesday,
December 8, 2015, Olga Patricia Smith flew through the gates of heaven, wrapped in
the golden wings of the Archangels.
Maggie had spent
the last few weeks commuting to Roswell, working with the care staff; helping
her mother transition from assisted living to hospice care; making sure her
fears were heard. Mom Pat often said she
wasn’t ready; perhaps now she was ready.
Every morning I
carefully place four objects in my pocket: my Fitbit to monitor my steps and
health; my Guardian Angel comfort stone; a medal of St. Michael; and a
crucifix. As I put them in my pocket, I
pray for wisdom and discernment, and for guidance and protection throughout the
day. However, on Tuesday morning, I also
prayed to the angels to wrap Mom Pat in their loving wings to protect her when
the time comes. When Maggie got “the
call”, I had a vision of Mom Pat wrapped in golden wings.
One of the things
that Maggie accomplished last week was to move her Mom out of the assisted
living center. Mom Pat frequently went in and out of lucidity, but she made sure that Maggie took
The Clock with her. On Tuesday night, Maggie brought out The Clock, and I was
stunned. It is a beautiful clock that gently plays Beatle songs on the hour,
with beautiful lights and motion. Seeing
and hearing the clock this morning reminded me of Mom Pat, as well as Dad
Byron.
Dad Byron died in
1999. He was a jeweler before he
retired, and continued after his retirement. He lovingly repaired clocks and
watches, including two of my own watches.
Jewelers of his day knew how to care for cuckoo clocks and similar
treasures, so this clock would be something he would appreciate. The Clock starts each hour’s
serenade with the opening line of “Here, There, and Everywhere”—“To lead a better life,
I need my love to be here.”
“But to love her is to need her everywhere
Knowing that love is to share
Each one believing that love never dies
Watching her eyes
And hoping I'm always there”
Each one believing that love never dies
Watching her eyes
And hoping I'm always there”
Dad Byron was
always there for Mom Pat; on Tuesday, she joined him in the Everywhere, where
love never dies.
I love you, Olga
Pat Smith. Thank you for blessing our lives with your grace and humor.
