On January 24th, I witnessed a miracle.

Birthing a loved one into eternity is fraught with wonder and mystery. During her final week with us, I noticed Mom re-position the Mickey Mouse watch on her wrist several times a day.  For over 30 years that favorite time-teller traveled the world with her.   Even though she had the resources to wear the best of the best, Mom stuck with Micky.  His big hands pointing to the large numbers made reading easy for tired eyes. Every morning, Mom wound that watch nine times to keep it from skipping a beat. No real wonder in this part of the story. The mystery is in what comes next.

Journal entry – January 24th, 2012: 

Mom lies peaceful, eyes closed, and unresponsive all day.  Her home-going is near Surrounding her bed the family attempts to sing her requested favorite, the Battle Hymn of the Republic.  Bumbling through our tears, we choke out the song: “Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.  He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored.  He hath loosed his faithful lightning like a terrible swift source, His truth is marching on.  “Glory, glory hallelujah…. Suddenly, in the middle of the chorus, Mom’s eyes bolt open-wide like saucers.  Every ounce of strength in her tired body rallies, fixated on something above her.  Something beyond.  We don’t know what she sees.  But whatever it is keeps her spell bound through several deep breaths. A split second later she closes her eyes tightly, and is gone. Stunned by the obvious, I ask my sister Kelly, a former critical care nurse, and medical brainyack: “Have you ever seen anything like that before?”  She shakes her head with a puzzled no and replies. “I’ve seen many people die, but nothing like that….” In keeping with her expertise, she checks the clock and announces, “Time of death is 3:44.” Meagan, the hospice nurse arrives and takes Mom’s vitals. Turning to the family she confirms mom’s passing, “Time of death is 4:12.”  Kelly clarifies, “Mom passed at 3:44 pm.” Meagan nods in agreement, logs the time, and signs the official papers. We remove Mom’s jewelry, place it on her dresser, and do what we can to comfort one another through the endings of the day….. 

 “A thing is not necessarily against reason

because it happens to be above it.”

…..It’s 10 pm now.  We are weary to the bone, hoping sleep will eclipse our sadness. Dad hands Mom’s watch to Kelly along with his wishes:  “I’d like you to take Mom’s Mickey Mouse watch home to Rachael. I think she’ll like it.”  Wiping tears from her cheeks she thanks him. Now this is where it get’s good. Suddenly, Kelly’s jaw drops and her eyes nearly pop out of her head:  “Oh my stars! You’re not gonna believe it!, she exclaims, “Look at this!” Turning the watch towards us, we marvel: Mickey’s hands are pointing to 3:44 pm. It stopped keeping time the precise minute Mom left this world for the next! Our family calls it, the miracle on heaven’s doorstep.

God dwells in eternity, but time dwells in God.

He has already lived all our tomorrows as he has lived all our yesterdays.

                                                                                                                    A. W. Tozer