“Comfort For My Dying Mother”

Dear Shaina,

These are of course your words, but they ring so true about your music.  On October 30, 2009 my dear mother passed away from end stage liver disease, surrounded by her five children. We had been her caregivers for three weeks prior in her own home allowing her to live out her days in her own room.

I was primary caregiver for mom, living with her in her final weeks.  Our evening ritual to help calm her into sleep was foot, leg, and hand massages in a darkened room, candle lit, with “Peace Be With You” playing in the background.  It was not long before she fell calmly into sleep each night.

One evening, when she was especially agitated, three of her five children, and mom’s best friend, stood around her bedside with warm washcloths, candles glowing, and each took a hand and foot and warmly soothed her in to restful slumber.  Your music once again calmed her.

Then the sorrowful day came when God called her home.  My three brothers, my sister, and niece surrounded her bedside where I conducted a short prayer service. Candles glowing in the early morn, we encircled our mothers earthly vessel, knowing her spirit had already gone with God.  I read from Ecclesiastes, offered a prayer for the journey, let each share a blessed memory, then ended with your song, Peace Be With You.

Several years ago I had written to you to ask if you had the music to that song for a church organ. You kindly faxed me a copy.  Never in my wildest dreams did I realize that years later I would need that for my own mother’s funeral. The organist and soloist captured your essence so beautifully when it was played as a communion hymn.

Your words will always be with me, and I quoted them on her Rite of Christian Burial Program:  “You are blessed and you are holy, precious gift God gave to me, you are blessed and you are holy, you’re an angel I can see.”

I created a dedicated site to pay tribute to this beautiful woman we called mom.

The site is www.wix.com/womenofspringfield/queenaline   We began to call her queen aline because of everybody being at her beck and call. She loved that name!  Many people will see this and hopefully be inspired by your music as I have been.

God bless your ministry.

Carol Pirog
Chicopee, MA 01020