Second Chances

“Markers, Daddy... Jesus has markers. And he has brown hair and he has hair on his face,” he said, running his tiny palm around on his chin. I guessed that he didn’t yet know the word beard. “And his eyes... oh, Dad, his eyes are so pretty!”
    ~ Todd Burpo, Heaven is For Real

Project: Pray

    "Karen, may kuwento ako..." Mommy called.
  
    "What?" I asked. I climbed up to her hospital bed and laid down beside her, careful that I didn't block any of her IV bags, CVP, oxygen and catheter tubes.

    "I saw Jesus."

    I was surprised and assumed this might have happened during her threatening seizure last September 21.  Mommy was diagnosed with Pneumonia and has been in the hospital since September 15, but hers led to Sepsis, worsening her chances of fast recovery; thus the seizure that happened last Friday.

    While attentively listening, she recounted her dreams. She rather had them described though as hallucinations.

    An image of a beautiful lady was at the edge of a tunnel inviting her to come in, she started. She assumed it was Mama Mary calling her. It was a temptingly beautiful place she said, that which was brightly lit. At the end of the tunnel was Jesus on His welcome image. He was on His white robe, His bright red sash hanging on His shoulders. Mom particularly said she saw His heart, that which was similar to the image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

    On another, she saw people on white dresses. Wedding dresses as she described. She was fascinated with how white and beautiful the dresses were. On her bedside was another brightly lit tunnel. They were calling her, but she refused to get through it she said.

    Mommy's stories could have left me goosebumps and doubtfully question how real the disambiguation were. Instead, I listened, thankful to the second chance at life that has been given to her.