Sometime life has a way of coming back around

You never know when you come in contact with some one when that relationship will become even more meaningful. Almost 10 years ago when I started college I needed a job to help with some expenses and provide some cash for my weekend escapades. I got a job at the local Wal-Mart; I was the proud pet department clerk. I was the go to guy for everything that pertained to your pet's needs. You need a cure for heart worms for your dog, I got you covered. Your kid wants that one particular fish in that huge aquarium, I got you covered. You are looking for an alternative to that shampoo that keeps making your cat's skin dry, hey I got you covered. Yes I was the connoisseur of pet products. Aside from knowing my pet supplies I knew my coworkers. I knew their stories, their kids, the fact that they were working two jobs to make ends meet and to provide a better life for their kids. I listened as they talked about their lives their successes and failures. I had some of my most pastoral conversations while serving as the sales clerk in the pet department. One of those employees was a young woman who worked in the toy department, we will call her Cindy. Cindy was one of the evening clerks who came to work at Wal-Mart everyday after she had already put in 8+ hours at a local manufacturing plant. Cindy was always quiet but we struck a friendship up. I listened to Cindy and she would talk about her life and her struggles in life. After my sophomore year in college I hung up my fish catching net and took a position with a local church as their youth pastor. Leaving behind a store that grieved the loss of my expertise :) and many friends.

A couple of months ago I was out doing my chaplain duties for Hospice when I rang the doorbell of the new patient's home and imagine my surprise when Cindy opened the door! Her mother was the new patient. Cindy had taken her mother into her home to help care for her as her health began to decline. Cindy seemed so relieved that I was the Chaplain that had come to visit her mother. In the months that followed I had some wonderful conversations with Cindy and her mother. We talked about faith and what her mother hoped for in her impending death. Dying with dignity is so important.

About a week ago I got the word from the nurse that Cindy's mother was declining fast. Over the past week I made many visits to Cindy's home offering whatever support I could give. Cindy's mother died Thursday morning. I was honored to be asked to help officiate her funeral yesterday afternoon. She had a wonderful service that brought honor to the life she led. She died with dignity and her funeral was almost as dignified as the life that she lived.

Isn’t it strange how life has a way of coming back around? A causal friendship from 10 years ago came back to my life and honored me by being able spend some of the most sacred time with Cindy and her mother. Standing by a dying person and their family is some of the most sacred space in this world. I am reminded that what can seem like causal acquaintances may be so much more in another time and another place. In one of Cindy's darkest hours filled with all these new faces that had come to give her mother care, I was the one face of familiarity a face who could offer comfort. I am the better for having this opportunity and I hope and pray that Cindy and her mother's experience was better by having me there.