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Life's Changing Seasons
by Valerie Bauer Rousseau

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The following article has been written for your encouragement.

As I look back, I can't believe the changes that have taken place
in my life the last 2 years. It seems like just yesterday, I was
sitting in the doctor's office with my Mom, hearing him say that
she was dying with pancreatic cancer. Her cancer had already
spread to the liver and there was nothing man could possible do
for her.
She was so calm, just a few little tears in her eyes, but she bore
her cross with pride. She did not go into hysterics or cry "Why Me"
but simply accepted God's plan for her life and trusted in his
judgment.
The next few months were so amazing, that I am in awe of the way
God worked in her life and in the lives of so many people around
her. I think that the biggest call on her life was to teach people
to die and trust in God's plan.
I moved into her small home to care for her so that she could
have her wish and die with dignity, without and tubes or wires,
and no hospitals. We were very fortunate to have so many loving
Hospice workers and friends to help us through the most difficult
time in our lives.
Mom was a social butterfly before her cancer, never staying home
if she absolutely had to. When she was diagnosed, it was her wish
to be in touch with as many people as she could before her death.
There were many days when she would be so sick, and I would want
to cancel company, but she always insisted on seeing anyone who
wanted to visit. The house was always full of people from morning
till night. The one thing I noticed was how many people God was
sending to us to witness to or to tell them about our love for him.
By 7:00 p.m. she was always exhausted, and I was thankful for the
quiet time to meditate and spend time with God.
We began to be excited about who God would send to us and asked
him to give us the words to witness. Every day was a new adventure
to unfold and watch His faithfulness.
One day I especially remember, she was so sick and could not keep
down her medicine or eat. She was running a high fever and I went to
the kitchen to get some ice to take down her temperature. When I came
back she was grasping something in her hand very tightly, and I
asked her to show it to me. It was a little card that said,
"Lord help me to remember that nothing is going to happen to me
today that you and I can't handle together." When I asked her where
she got this card, she told me the lady in the boat gave it to me.
Since I was the only one there and she couldn't get out of bed, I
feel it was a way for God to strengthen us and help us through the
tough times. We asked many friends and Hospice workers if they had
ever seen that card before, but no one ever had.
Before Christmas, I prayed for God to give me the ability to write
a poem to send in the cards to keep me from writing about the
sickness, but rather to witness for our love to Him. He gave me a poem
called "It's Almost Jesus' Birthday" and it was a huge step in His
transformation of my life. While she was dying, God kept putting
poetry in my head and I would scribble it in a note pad. It was amazing
because I never had written a poem before in my life, yet the words kept
flowing out of my heart.
Another very special plan God had for us was that He called Mom home
on the same day as my father died, 7 years earlier. It was so comforting
to think that He had reunited them in such a memorable way.
Ten days later on Valentine's Day, God again was faithful to us and
brought into our family a new baby boy, Christopher, to my brother and
his wife. It was so wonderful holding that tiny new life in my arms.
Even today after 2 years, tears come to my eyes in recalling the miracles
in our lives.
When I moved back home, I knew that my life would never be the same.
My husband bought me a computer to put all the poetry down on paper. To
me it is a wonderful way to express the words from my heart and also
witness to others.
Thinking back, I realize that much of the Bible is poetry, letters, or
prayers written while people were locked up in prison, but that didn't
stop them witnessing and sharing their faith even in their isolation.
If we could just try to see past our pain, and ask God what we can do
to help others, even while we're suffering. Maybe our isolation is to
draw us closer to God and His call on our life, to help us fulfil it
and help others know Jesus.
My husband has now come to know Jesus as His Savior, and is faithfully
attending church. Last year he took instructional classes to become a
member of the church I attend.
We as Christians have so many opportunities to share our love for God
through cards, letters, and the internet to touch people's hearts and
show them how He is transforming our lives into something wonderful.
I hope that when the Lord calls me home that people will always remember
how much I loved my Savior.

Valerie.

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