his description of his parents\u2019 deaths<\/a>. So I read the short passages aloud to her, then looked up for her response. Thirty minutes later, she had stopped responding.<\/p>\nJoan spoke of her own parents\u2019 deaths. Of her father\u2019s passing away as she held his hand. And of her mother, whose encroaching dementia forced a family decision. Joan \u201cput it all in the Lord\u2019s hands,\u201d asking God in prayer what he wanted her to do. A few days later, while she was at work, God gave his answer: Take your mother into your home.<\/p>\n
Joan never questioned this word from God even though a couple of her siblings tried to dissuade her. It was Thanksgiving time, busiest time of year, and yet by Christmas, a room in her house had been done over and her mother had moved in. \u201cEverything\u2014just\u2014worked,\u201d Joan said, gesturing with her slender fingers that have only gained back a small amount of weight. \u201cEverything always works when you put it in the Lord\u2019s hands.\u201d<\/p>\n
Joan said to me yesterday that for the longest time she had thought she was \u201cholding on to God\u201d\u2014doing all the things he asked, going to Mass, praying with her prayer group, saying endless Rosaries. Then one day, \u201cI realized that he had been holding on to me all along.\u201d<\/p>\n
Joan is unwavering in such statements of faith. They are made with complete certainty. And all I can do most days is listen and nod and wonder. May you all have friends like Joan. I\u2019m sure my experience is quite common among practicing Catholics who are friends to one another.<\/p>\n
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