Years ago, we had living next door to us an elderly couple. They are both gone now, but their lives impacted me in a way that will never be forgotten.
Gene and Stella were the grandparents we never had. They lived so close that we could look out our window and see into their house next door.
Over the years we developed a close relationship. One day we were told that Stella was dying. She
opted to stay in their home and die there, it took her six weeks before passing over. We spent time going back and forth during these very hard days, to uphold Gene and comfort and serve Stella.
One night during those sad days, I lay awake so long in bed with many thoughts about their life, especially wondering if they were saved. I had spoken to them of the gospel on a couple of occasions over the years, they said they knew it but never left the Catholic church. Stella finally passed on Thanksgiving day, the day of their wedding anniversary.
On this sleepless night, I rose and went to the old Underwood type writer that I purchased in a garage sale for $10, and began to write a poem about those last few weeks we had with Stella. We were involved with the pro-life movement back then, and often I thought of the state of our world and the way it was going, so rapidly away from Christ, even in the churches. From those thoughts came this poem, I will share it with you now.
We were in the throws of the "Death with Dignity" legislation then, and it was beyond my thinking that anyone would want another person to die for the sake of their own convenience.
Gracious Departing by Gwendolyn Wehage: Written in 1987
No predicament can be known more difficult,
Than braving the pain and anguish in seclusion.
Adversity subsides to a tolerable degree,
when family and friends commit to thee.
Unbearable they agony when absent thee be.
Cease not they sacrifice of love.
Choose gladly, encumbrance of time and space,
That loneliness of heart exhibit not upon thy face.
Not long have I to dwell upon this earth.
Support mine head and lift thou my spirits,
Only a glimpse of time shall this circumstance be,
Be thou a companion to me.
Let thine eyes cry on my behalf, the tears gladly shed.
Allow time to cease to be thine own,
Money; count it a trivilaity.
Look not upon thy sacrifice as severe,
but training for thy future.
Pray not a speedy death with dignity,
but rather, life with gracious dependency.
Gwendolyn Wehage 1987
