During the early part of December, Mom was sleeping most of the time and not very responsive when she was awake. I was sure we had slipped into the last state of this horrible disease. Amazingly, God granted us a reprieve during the holiday season that is ongoing. Mom is awake and alert, and we are so glad to have her back! Dad calls it a minor miracle.
I suppose it’s only human of us to search for a change in her care that would have caused the turnaround. She has started eating more and is getting a steady intake of protein through her nutritional supplement drinks. I have no doubt the drinks are definitely assisting in her renewed strength, but I want to give more credit to it being a miracle!
I may have mentioned before the steady influx of magazines that come through the Bunn house. From World to Reader’s Digest, I’ve never lacked reading material. Guideposts has been a part of my life for many, many years. They have a section called “Miracles and Healing” and have put out many supplemental books about miracles. They also have a page in every issue on “Mysterious Ways.” I’ve read hundreds, maybe thousands, of accounts of everyday miracles. I know they exist.
I believe we are surrounded by miracles. Maybe we’re too busy or just not paying attention. I’ve often heard someone quip “never drive faster than your guardian angel can fly” or talk about Clarence, the guardian angel in It’s a Wonderful Life who had to earn his wings. Somehow attributing protection or guidance to a concept of angels that guard our lives is more acceptable to our society. I certainly know that angels exist. The Old Testament is full of encounters between men and angels. Scripture says in Psalm 91:11, “For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” Michael and Gabriel are even mentioned by name as special messengers.
I think, however, what we’ve witnessed in the Bunn house in the last month is a miracle. A miracle is simply an event that can’t be explained by natural law. The progress of dementia is unrelenting. I have rarely seen it reverse itself. I believe that God simply allowed the fog to clear from Mom’s mind and gave her back to us for a season.
Whatever it is called or however it is attributed, I am thrilled to have Mom back. She is enjoying music again; right now we’re listening to Andy Griffith sing hymns and she’s smiling and humming along. She can’t remember the words to all twenty-five hymns, but she knows these melodies and is fully engaged in being part of the backup singers. She has called me by name and talked about being in a choir. She just tried a descant, and when she couldn’t quite reach the high notes, she laughed and said “oh my!”
She wants me to sing with her – better go enjoy this miracle to the fullest!
