My parents took me to Sunday school and worship from an early age. I learned from them and through the guidance of the Holy Spirit that God is present in everything in life. I have a sign above my desk at work that reads: Vocatus atque non vocatus deus aderit. A simple translation is: "Bidden or not bidden, God is present!"
Nothing in my life has been more difficult than watching my mother suffer the disintegration of her mind and body through Alzheimer's disease. From diagnosis at the Johns Hopkins Hospital's Neurology Department in 1982 until her death in 1997, my family, friends and I watched this loving and creative woman decline rapidly from independence to total dependence and fear, confusion, and submission to this horrible disease. All the while I prayed to God that he release her from this disease. At the end, her life counted for much as part of hospital research into the effects of the disease and spurred both my father and me to take an active part in the research process. During the disease's long grip on my family, I watched my father devote his life to making Mother as comfortable as he was able. It was so apparent that his actions were guided by his faith, that God was in control, and Mother's suffering would end in due time. When it did end, we celebrated her life in grand style. I was grateful to God for guiding me to himself and sustaining my faith. God has been with me and guided me in all aspects of my life, through marriage, parenthood, as a grandparent, worker in my church, and all past and present jobs. It has not always been an easy path, but at the end of each trial and with faith that God is in control, I see God in all things, even Alzheimer's disease. |
