Miss Ruth is only one person I have ever been with at the moment they passed from this world to glory. Miss Ruth was such a sweet, precious soul. I know the angels rejoiced when Jesus ushered her into heaven a few years shy of putting one hundred candles on her birthday cake.

While Pilot and I ate dinner – supper, for those of you who don’t call the last meal of the day dinner – I had a strange feeling. We needed to go see Miss Ruth. Now.

On the way to the assisted living home where Miss Ruth lived, Pilot and I stopped and picked up a bouquet of pink carnations. Miss Ruth looked so pretty in pink.

I’ve always wondered since then, should we have  gone straight to see her, instead of stopping?

By the time we got to Miss Ruth’s room, she had slipped out of consciousness. She never did see her flowers.

Miss Ruth responded when I stroked her hand, and let her know Pilot and I were with her by pulling my hand to her chest. She responded in the same way when Pilot held her hand and sang to her.

Just before Miss Ruth breathed her final ragged breath, she reached both arms upward. Was she reaching for Jesus’ outstretched arms? I think so.

After Miss Ruth died, I came across this old Carter Family song sung by Blind Pig and the Acorn, Give Me the Roses While I Live. Useless the flowers that you give, after the soul is gone, the song says.

Let’s not wait until it’s too late to tell someone we love them, to help them when we can. To let them know we appreciate and value them. To share the Good News with them.

It’s too late to do all that after they are gone.

For every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die… Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

I wish you well.

Sandy