Ma Peak |
My husband’s sweet little grandmother has progressively lost
her short term – and most long term memory. At 97 years young, her past few
years have seen her settle comfortably into a new reality. She is no longer
telling us that she wants to go ‘home’ – both in the earthly sense and in the
eternal sense. Her life has regressed back into infancy, where she eats, naps,
and shared smiles with us. A recent development finds her pulling her blanket
over her face when she decides that our interaction is over and it’s time for
some rest.
Ma Peak is not Catholic and she, along with her dearly
departed husband, investigated several churches throughout their wonderfully blessed
(five decade) marriage. But they were
always there for us when we had Catholic events going on. While my convert
husband’s parents declined such invitations, Ma and Pa where always there –
even signing over their permission for their 18 year old grandson to marry his
17 year old bride (me). As with all families, there were disagreements and hurt
feelings and all sorts of bumps in the road. This led to the sinful but all too
human telling of tales and holding of grudges.
Now that she no longer remembers these events or her
reaction to them, I am left wondering: what happens to the sins of those who are
no longer able to confess them? Are we somehow still held culpable or is there
some way for loved ones to help someone of altered mind attain Heaven? I know
that the obvious answer is that ‘with God all things are possible’ and that He
ultimately has a plan for all of us. A feeling of responsibility weighs on my
mind, however, and I feel compelled to try to find an answer with which I can
live. A finely honed conscience can be a wonderful tool for, not only our own
salvation, but for helping others.
Here’s what we’ve done so far. When we visit her these days –
usually after Mass on Sunday – we share a brief visit including smiles, kisses,
and God bless you crosses on foreheads. Then, after her blanket is pulled up
over her face, we pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet in her presence. I’m not sure
what effect this will have on behalf of her immortal soul – but I am sure that acts like this matter. As
her family, we are taking this fourth child of ours (Ma) and doing our best to help her
achieve unity with the Lord. However God sees fit to apply these supplications,
my security in believing in the Communion of Saints gives me the comfort of
knowing that we are somehow giving her aid.
For the sake of His Sorrowful Passion... |
There’s also a lesson to be learned here. In her new found innocence, Ma is made new. All of her past prejudices, perceived hurts and
grudges have been washed away. She has completed the circle of, first forgiving
and now forgetting any transgression that may have been stumbling blocks in the
past. As a new creation, she has become a child once again. Our ministrations give
her immediate comfort and, hopefully, future assistance on her journey. May we
also use her gift of pointing us toward forgiving and forgetting – a sort of self-induced Alzheimer's for the good of our souls. What an opportunity - while we
still have the presence of mind to seek absolution for our own transgressions.
On this, Divine Mercy Sunday, may we grow in our faithful seeking of forgiveness through the sacrament of penance!
That is a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing your family's experience. It will help many others decide what to do and how to pray. God bless you.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I used to worry about this quite a bit but now feel at peace in the Divine Mercy of Jesus.
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