Safely Home

I am home in Heaven, dear ones;
Oh! so happy and so bright!
There is perfect joy and beauty
In this everlasting light.

All the pain and grief is over,
Every restless tossing passed;
I am now at peace forever,
Safely home in Heaven at last.
-anon

Sometimes a sudden surprising incident or an event can take place before our eyes which can strongly influence or even change perspective of our life. This is one such incident that took place in the Senior Center of East Brunswick, NJ.

This I can say has surprised and influenced me as well as all the others who were present as witnesses in the Center on that day. The Center was established more than 30 years ago by the efforts of a local Lutheren Church. It was initially started as a community center for older people to keep them active and happy. Thus it was to care for the welfare of seniors in the Township. I became a member of the Center about 8 years back after coming to know about many activities which are helpful and interesting.

This incident which I narrate here is a unique one which I am sure the reader will find not only interesting but also helpful in understanding how God works things out in His own miraculous way for our good.

The day at the Center started as usual with normal actvities. The morning tea, exercises, games, lunch, etc. It was past noon and seniors were preparing for events to follow. Some were assembling for Memory Matters discussion group and some others were preparing to take part in Strength exercise classes.

Marion, an active, healthy looking senior in late 70s who looks far younger than her age is a regular in strength exercise classes besides knitting. On that day, she came to the Center driving by herself and signed up at the front desk as usual. As she was proceeding to the hall to participate in the exercise classes, she felt a sudden pang of pain and slowly slipped and fell on the carpet unconscious.

An alarm was raised by a fellow member calling for help which alerted the Director and the other staff. Soon the staff came rushing to help her and the Director called Emergency. Each and every staff took their turn in trying to revive her and also to clear the place.

The assistant Director who heard the call, stopped the Memory Matters class and came rushing to help and maintain order as the members were anxious and restless to know the development. Efforts to bring Marion to consciousness failed . The ambulance came and the Emergency staff took over and took her to Robert Wood Johnson Hospital for treatment.

The next day, when members came to the Center we were shocked to know that all efforts to bring her back to life failed and she died without regaining consciousness. A Memorial service was arranged in the N. Brunswick Presbytarian Church. All of us at the Center attended led by the Assistant Director. At the service, we came to know many important and interesting things.

Marion who is 79 years old was living in an apartment in East Brunswick alone after her husband's death. She pushed back all her sorrows and joined the Center and the Church. She lived a bold life, making a difference in the community in which she lived. She participated in the Church choir, taught Sunday School and took an active part in various activities. She was ever present in any need of a family especially as a counsel or advisor to children and was recognized as a leader of the community. She also helped her neighbours extending a helping hand and maintaining good relationship.

At the service, several members of the Center and Church as well as friends recalled her services singing hymns of her liking. Many families acknoweldged her as part of their family and many children expressed their grief at the loss of their loving teacher and mentor. One of her neighbours collected all her pictures and arranged a good display of her life in pictures.

All this will not however give the full or least glimpse of the worthy life she lived. What transpired and convinced one and all, especially at the Center was the sudden death and unexpected eternal call. Everyone was happy that it did not happen while she was alone at home or driving.

She had a nice closing and peaceful end and it gave us an opportunity to witness and understand God's timing and His wonderful deed. The members of the Center have become a part of Marion's family encountering her last journey.
- Samuel Raya