Departed loved ones us songs to connect with us and let us know they're still watching over us!

 (Mom)
​
Our mother’s health began to rapidly decline in Jan. 2018.  We knew she was beyond ready to join our dad in the spirit realm. However, she was determined to be here when her grandson came home on military leave from Japan and to be here for three of her granddaughter’s high school graduations.  We were taking turns caring for her at home with the assistance of hospice. She was very weak and feverish but she insisted on getting photos with her three granddaughters in their caps and gowns. One granddaughter graduated the following day. She took a turn for the worse on Monday, May 21st 2018 and wasn’t conscious for about 24 hours. Tuesday the 22nd her grandson made it home from Japan to say his goodbyes.  When she heard his voice, after being non-responsive for 24 hours, her eyes opened and her arms reached out for a hug. There was not a dry eye in the room! She never opened her eyes again and we thought she would let go that night. She did not! Her twin granddaughters were graduating on Wednesday the 23rd.  She wasn’t going anywhere! Friday May 25th, all the grandkids had planned to go to Lexington for the night. They were having a house party in the college home my oldest daughter would be renting with classmates for the summer and senior year of college. The kids all hesitated leaving but we assured them that grandma wanted them to go have fun and initiate the ‘senior students house’.  Again, we had the Christian radio station playing and we thought for sure when the song ‘Just Be Held’ played, she would take her final breath just as our dad had done.  My sister and her husband went to bed and I was lying on the couch next to my mom’s bed. I prayed to God that I wouldn’t sleep through her last breath. I asked the Angels to wake me up if my mother started to let go. Shortly before midnight I awoke suddenly and knew she didn’t have long. I woke my sister/brother-in-law and as the 3 of us said our goodbyes she took her final breath. The song playing on the radio was one we weren’t familiar with but later learned it was by Mercy Me, “The Hurt and the Healer.”  As we were calling our brothers to let them know mom had 'graduated', the next song on the radiio was “Just Be Held.”  We had to laugh. Of course, mom chose her own song to make her exit and if you listen to the lyrics it was so appropriate for her as she had been disabled for 17 years. Then our dad played his song next, letting us know he was right there with mom as he escorted her home to Jesus! She left on her terms! She waited until all the grandkids were miles away celebrating endings and new beginnings.