Abide With Me

A high school friend died yesterday. Jeanette was highly intelligent, very well educated and had many, many accomplishments. (See obituary here.) The summer of 1996, she announced to a group of us that she had what they thought was Alzheimer's. The last time I saw her was at our class reunion in 1998. Even then I could see the change in her.

As time passed the disease began to take hold. She lost her ability to communicate and was no longer in touch. She became bedridden and was in a fetal position. She had around the clock care. Eventually a feeding tube was inserted, and she went into a nursing home.

Her husband deserves great praise and honor as he provided her with the very best of care along with his love and devotion during this long goodbye. What a long journey this has been for him. May God bless him with many graces. I pray for both him and Jeanette.

Last night, while writing the material for our class blog and looking for music for the post, I stumbled upon a video of "Abide With Me." I truly felt God's hand in this provision and can imagine Jeanette singing as her world became darker and asking the Lord to abide with her. Now she is with God, living in his light. Completely whole.

ABIDE WITH ME

Abide with me fast falls the eventide,
The darkness deepens Lord, with me abide;
When other helpers fail and comforts flee
Help of the helpless, O abide with me!

Night surely comes to end this passing day,
Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see
O Lord who does not change, abide with me!

I need your presence every passing hour,
What else but grace can foil temptation’s power?
Who else like you will guide and stay with me?
Thru cloud and sunshine, O abide with me!

I have no fear with you close by each day,
Trouble and sorrow swiftly pass away;
And at my end death will not conquer me
For I shall live if you abide with me.

Your holy cross, your resurrection,
Come shining through the gloom with hope salvation;
As morning breaks and as faint shadows flee
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me!

Words: Henry F. Lyte, 1793-1847
Music: William Henry Monk, 1823-1889