Life's Lesson in Death

I have learned something about death that I didn't know before.  My Mother passed away on Sunday, December 20, 2009.  My sister and I were at her bedside when she passed away.  We had been taking turns spending the night with her.  We knew that it was just a matter of days until she passed away.  My daughter Melanie and I stayed with her on Friday night.  There was a very strong spirit in the room.  I really felt that my Grandmother Fanny and my Father were near waiting for my Mother to pass through the veil.  On Saturday my sister stayed with my Mother.  Then on Sunday morning my sister called to tell me I needed to come.  She felt that it was only a matter of minutes until Mom was to leave this earth life.  I got dressed for church because I knew one thing.  Mom would want me to go to church and give the Relief Society lesson that I was to give that day.  My sister and I watched my Mother take her last breaths.  So here is the lesson I learned.  

Death is a holy and sacred experience.  It is every bit as sacred as when you watch the birth of a baby.  There is something special about watching a spirit pass through the veil and feeling our Heavenly Father's presence.  I knew that God was near.  I knew that my Father, a brother, grandparents, and a long list of relatives that we had been doing genealogy work for were near.  While my sister and I were feeling a lose for the Mother we love, we knew that Mother was joyfully meeting with her family on the other side of the veil.  I will always be grateful for this holy time that I had with my Mother.