-
All Because of a Hug
- Jul 15, 2008 at 11:26 AM
- By
- Comments (40) Total Views (1112) Everyone can see this journal post.
Sister Anna was a sweet widow woman who went to church every time the doors were open. She lived near her family, but she went to church alone.
The little church was a small congregation. About half of it were blood relatives. The others were definitely "added", but all were God's family. One thing stood out about Sister Anna. She was quiet, diminuitive, and pleasant. Most of the time, though, many of the congregants smiled at her, shook her hand, then walked on by.
One 14 year old girl went to that church, too. She was small, mousy, and very shy. She wore glasses and was rather nerdy. The oldest of three children, she always felt alone. She looked about for a friend and asked herself what kind of person could she really talk to. She decided a grandparent, but hers lived far away...but God was waiting for them both.
The same Sunday that the girl had contemplated her question and found the answer lacking, she noticed Sister Anna. She, too, was alone. That made up her mind. After several awkward attempts to make contact, she went up to the older lady and asked shyly, "May I give you a hug?" The sweet woman looked startled at the request, but nodded her head tentatively. That was the beginning of a wonderful friendship.
Every time they saw each other, they gave each other a hug. They told the other one that they loved them. And the years went by. The girl graduated high school, got married, and moved away. She heard that Sister Anna was diagnosed with osteoporosis and was not doing well.
The girl, now a young woman with a child, and her husband moved close to her family once again. Sister Anna was now often in the hospital. Sister Anna had sent baby gifts and always had a smile when the younger woman came to visit her at home and in the hospital. But the young lady didn't know how serious the illness truly was.
One morning, the young woman was finishing up cleaning the kitchen after breakfast, when she felt the most startling sensation she had ever felt and it paralyzed her. Like an invisible blanket had come down over her; then she felt the hands. One hand on each shoulder and one in the middle of her back, they pressed her firmly toward the front door of her house. Then she saw in her mind the hospital in her home town and knew in her heart that she was supposed to be there immediately, but that hospital was 30 minutes away. She was frightened and knew she would not go alone. She wanted her husband with her...
And just as she had that thought, he appeared in front of her. He stood there looking down at the newspaper in his hands. "Danny," she said,"we need to go to the hospital in Levelland.' He didn't look up. "We'll get ready and go after lunch," he answered carelessly.
"No, Danny, we need to go now." He looked up, startled. "I didn't hear the phone ring." "That's because it didn't." All the while the pressure from the hands were getting steadily stronger and the girl was near panic. Her husband stared into her face for a moment, then said, "You get the baby and I'll meet you in the car." The girl raced down the hall, got her child, grabbed her purse, diaper bag, and sippy cup, then ran to the car.
On the way to the hospital, her husband looked at her from the corner of his eyes and she knew the question was coming. It finally did about halfway there. "Why are we going to the Levelland hospital?"
"I don't know," was the reply. "All I know is that I have to be there right now!"
"But I didn't hear the phone ring; who called?"
"No one called."
Now the husband was sure his wife had flipped out! But he kept on driving. All the while, the hands were firmly on her shoulders and back, urging her forward.
When they got to the hospital, the girl said,"I'll go in to see what is going on. You get the baby!" "Good idea!" he called back to her as she raced toward the glass doors.
Just inside the doors, the girl's mother was waiting. She looked up when she heard the doors open. Her look was one of surprise. "I'm so glad to see they called you!!" she said. "No one called me, mom," she answered. Then queried,"Is it dad? Is he okay?"
The mother was startled and alarmed. "No, he's fine. He's at work." "Then who's here?"
"The doctors have called Sister Anna's family. They are not expecting her to live much longer."
"What room is she in?" "Room 123, but I don't think they'll let you in. It's just family."
"I have to go!" said the young lady. "But where are Danny and the baby?" asked her mother.
They both looked toward the door just as the young man started to open it. "There they are," she said as she started running for her friend's room.
She found the room and went in. The older woman's children were all there and one recognized her. "Andrea, I'm so glad they called you! Let me tell mother you are here." And yes, most people who don't know me well call me Andrea. This is my story. It happened when I was 23 years old.
When I reached the door, the hands left me. But I reached over and carefully took Sister Anna Lauderdale's hand in mine. The skin was translucent. You could see the veins criss-crossing the care-worn hands and arms. She was covered with bruises from the side-effects of her disease. She was on morphine for the pain.
I couldn't hug her anymore. All I could do was to stand there and carefully stroke her hand to let her know I was there for her. God had heard her and brought me here. For some reason, she didn't want to die without me. She passed away 10 minutes later.
After I left her room, I went back and told my family. We went to my parents house and my mother asked again who had called me. I told her again that no one had. "Then how did you know to come?"
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you," I said. "Try me," she answered. I poured out my story of what God and the morning had brought me. She was stunned. "I've heard of such things happening to other people, and they never happened to me, but that is incredible and wonderful!"
I sang at her funeral...One of the hardest things I've ever had to do.
Two weeks after the funeral, my mother ran into Sister Anna's daughter at Wal-Mart. "I'm so glad someone called Andrea!" she exclaimed. "I wanted to, but didn't have her number. Mom has told us for years that Andrea was her favorite person!"
All because of a hug.
Please tell me what you thought of my story. Even if you are echoing someone else's note. I really appreciate the responses.
Comments:
Already a member? Click here to log in
Meet Cymbeline
This Pennsylvania mom of three is a big fan of the band The Cranberries, loves to eat seafood and enjoys spending time with her family at Knoebel's amusement park.
- godzgirl21
Message Friend Invite