A Priceless Gift

By Debra DuPree Williams @DDuPreeWilliams

In the past couple of weeks, I’ve seen the same post repeatedly on social media. It’s a good reminder and goes something like this—Hold people close and remember to hug, say I love you, do today all those things you think you will get to do later. Later may not come for some.

That is such a profound truth. My family and I know it all too well. I have several dear friends who know, as well. You know who you are and know that I am holding you in my heart today, and always.

Remembering Mama

This Friday, December 13, will be twenty-three years since my Mama went to be with Jesus. She was in a nursing home in Ft. Myers, Florida, where my sister lived. Daddy was with Sis as he had recently had open heart surgery and was still recovering from eight by-passes. Yes, I know that sounds ridiculously high, but that is what his physicians told us.

Mama had suffered a series of little strokes, and dementia had already claimed a portion of her memory. We had nurses with Mama for a while, but when it became apparent that she needed far more care than that, we had to make the decision to put her into a nursing facility where she would get the round-the-clock care she so desperately needed. It was the most difficult decision my sister and I ever had to make.

My husband and I had planned to make the two-hour trip to Ft. Myers from our home in Tampa that day, December 13, 1996. We could get out the door as soon as we got our youngest off to kindergarten. We’d have time to see Mama and Daddy and get back to Tampa to get our son when he got home from school. A quick trip, yes, but at least we would be seeing both of my parents.

At four-thirty that morning, our phone rang.

I knew. I just knew.

A Broken Heart

It was the first time in my life I felt such profound, unimaginable, loss.  Those of you who have been through this know what that feels like. I am so sorry.

My heart still aches for the want of one last hug, one last I love you, Mama. For the touch of her hands which had sewn so many dresses, made so many party foods—she wasn’t an everyday cook, but man could she make food for parties for her Sunday School girls, as she so lovingly called them, or for her garden or civic clubs. It’s the little things. Her knack for decorating, making something beautiful out of nothing. To hear her call me Debbie Jane. Not my name, but her pet name for me.

We thought we had time.

We did not.

Do It Now

This Christmas, give yourself and those you love the gift of time. Say all those things you’ve held inside for too long, thinking you can say them later. Do those things you’ve wanted to do with that special someone, be it a parent, a grandparent, or grandchild, with a sibling, or even a friend. Don’t be afraid to say I love you. If you know someone who doesn’t know Jesus, this is the perfect season in which to share His story.

This is a tough conversation. I won’t ask you to share it here. But please take my advice and that as seen on social media. It could be the best gift you’ve ever given someone—or even yourself.

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