Elida,
I just wanted to let you know you will truly be missed. When I went to the nursing home Sunday to bring Holy Communion I was so saddened to not see your name on my list. I did not realize you were gone until I got to the third floor and looked for your name as I always saved your visit for last. Your name was not there. Tears instantly filled my eyes. I knew. I asked where you were and they said “you were not here”. I then asked if you had passed, and they said yes. Even though I was greatly saddened, I immediately knew you were safely Home.
My friend, you always put a big smile on my face when I went into your room. I saved you for last so I could give you your two pieces of sugar free candy. You would say loudly “cio co la te”. I would smile and pull them out of my purse. Of course you did not get them until after we said our prayers and you received your Holy Communion. I would break them into pieces and feed to you. You would open wide when you wanted more.
You will truly be missed, I came to love you as one of my special friends. Until we meet again.
Love,
Patti Wilson
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To Elida’s Family and Friends,
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you and I hope you will all feel a little comfort after reading “Safely Home”.
We do know by having faith that those who have gone to meet our Heavenly Father are in a better place than we are. It is just our human selfishness that wants our loved ones here. Elida is now at peace with God, family members and loved ones. Her suffering is now over.
Hold on to all the good times and memories. Elida knew how much you loved her. One of the most beautiful truths of faith is that life does not end at death. Life is just changed, it is not taken away.
Please keep in mind that in faith, we know that those who have died remain with us in love. In hope, we look forward lovingly to the day when we will be united with them for all eternity and in memory, we recall all they meant to us.
Elida is Safely Home now. As humans, we are selfish, we always want our loved ones here with us. Always remember, God has a plan, a special plan for all of us. Although we do not understand now, one day we will. We must always continue to have the faith and not question it (even though we hurt). I truly hope that all of you soon feel the peace knowing that Elida is in that very special place – Safely Home with our Heavenly Father. A place where we will all be some day.
Just remember, we will all meet our loved ones who have gone before us again, and we will be together, some day, and this time as one family with God. The beauty and the peace we will experience together then will be everlasting.
May God always bless and watch over you until we meet again with Elida and all of our loved ones who have passed.
With my deepest sympathy,
Love,
Patti Wilson
Volunteer at Manor Oaks Nursing Home
