October 23, 1998

On October 23, 1998, my mother, Patricia Ann Goley, died in my arms at the age of 62 from lung cancer.  Her esophagus ruptured and her life's blood poured onto her bathroom floor as I cried out to God to help us.  Within 2 minutes I could sense the presence of Jesus and I knew Mom was with her Savior and Free!  What a gift from God to be holding my Mom as she departed from this world and entered into her rest.

Today, on October 23, 2011, we dedicated Peter in church in front of all our brothers and sisters declaring that we would raise Peter up in Christ and the church by God's grace. There he was, finally in our arms, surrounded by the very people that made it possible for him to come home, sharing in our joy.  It was only afterwards that my husband Thommy made me aware of the significance of the date and while still standing there my eyes melted into tears.  So many other thoughts flowed with tears throughout today.  Memories really. 

(Back Story 1)  My mom loved kids and loved us more than anything.  Her job was working with children who couldn't read for varying reasons.  She was a reading specialist.  The children she taught were truly helped and according to the professionals she worked with, the children successfully started reading and caught up to the typical peer group.  Mom often said that she knew exactly how to help them because she was so much like them.  She too had a hard time learning and worked hard all her educational life, getting any and all the help she needed to achieve a Master's Degree +.  Her passion was to give her students not just tools to make the grade, but her love and help.  My brother, sister and I can say the same.

And here we are with the gift of Peter.  Mom gave me the wonderful gift of her confidence that I could do what I set out to do and then the tools necessary to do them.  I loved her for this. Because today, when I look at Peter I don't see a disabled boy unable to be "typical", I see all the possibilities that face him.  And the same God that saved my mother 2 months prior to her death, is the same God that will give this little boy what he needs for life and godliness.  And in Peter's great cloud of witnesses stands one Grammy routing him on.  Every 23rd of October when I think of my Mother's homecoming, I will also be telling one special little boy all about what he shares with his Grammy.

"Did you ever know that your my hero?  And everything I wish I could be?  Now I can fly higher than an eagle, 'cause you are the wind beneath my wings." Wind Beneath my Wings

Thank you Mommy for being my hero.  I have such a significant, purposeful and rich heritage.  Everything tied together in the wonderful tapestry of grace that God my Father ordained as my life.  He even redeemed October 23, 1998.  Indeed I have a wonderful inheritance.