24 December 2008
Houston, Texas
Christmas Eve comfort for a suffering mother
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Paralyzed from the chest down, awake for only moments a day, eating only morsels and drinking only sips, my child, Everett, is dying of cancer.
Although we have our Advent devotions each evening, our family is also immersed in a season of Lent. In addition to making all the preparations for Christmas, we have been attending to Everett’s needs as well—cleaning him, encouraging him to eat, holding his cup and wiping his chin as he drinks, positioning him in his chair, lifting him in and out of bed, and speaking to him words of comfort. I feel as Mary must have felt when, on the occasion of her ritual purification soon after Jesus’ birth, Simeon told her, “…a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
Tonight, Christmas Eve, the Christ candle stands juxtaposed in my soul to the pieta, an image that has helped sustain me this past year. Just as Mary held her son, the crucified Christ, in her arms, I have many times held Everett’s head in my lap and pondered the mystery of God’s blessing to me through my beloved son. I have massaged his swollen feet, bathed his limp body, and wiped sweat off his forehead; and just a moment ago when he suddenly awoke confused and frightened, I sat next to him with my head on his shoulder. He gently smiled, put his arm around me, and fell back to sleep.
Les and Cindy Morgan with their three children. Everett, center, died of bone cancer on December 27, 2008.
Each day as I light a candle beside the pieta on my prayer altar, the Spirit intercedes for me to pray what I can no longer express in words.
Like Mary, I am losing my son, and I cry out, “Here he is, God, the son you gave me to carry in my womb and to love and nurture! Behold my child, now broken and dying.”
In caring for Everett these last days, I have lived on the brink of tears, and all that matters is being at his side. Tonight the Spirit comforts me through the gift of the Christ candle. I delight that Everett, my beloved son, is still with me and that Christ, the One who formed him within my womb, is in our midst and ready to receive him back into his loving arms.
May the grace and peace of Christ be with you all.
Love,
Cindy
Editor's note: While the Morgans are on leave of absence, their newsletters will continue to be posted on the Mission Connections Web site. |
