A Good Death

{This week I am sharing from the writings of Jim Ament-Pastor Deb}

 

I was on a bike ride with my friend Lou on August 28th, when at the end of the ride he received a phone call from a relative about the passing of his ninety-six year old mother. She was an avid gardener her whole life and Lou told me that the family joke was that she would die just like Don Vito Corleone in the 1972 movie, The Godfather.

 

And it happened that way-relatives found her in her garden with her work gloves on, and trimming shears in her hand.

 

I never met Elda Samson (1923-2019), but she was a wife, mother of six, an enthusiastic gardener, a part time poet, and apparently an active gracious lady, who wrote the following poem three or four years ago:

 

I wish to take my final breath

Upon the earth's sweet loving breast.

My body resting on soft leaves

Birds above me in the trees.

Chirping the farewell eulogy

In sweet melodious harmony.

For many hours I have toiled

With rake in hand to till the soil.

The sunshine glowing upon my frame

Set my soul and spirit aflame.

Please no hospital bed for me!

Where confinement proves necessity.

And schedules call them to arrange

A periodic diaper change.

Rather than face that picture hard,

I'd prefer to die in my back yard.

Those who loved me can say a prayer,

That where I am, awaits a garden to care.

 

By Elda Samson

 

What a blessing that she received!