Guest post by Sarah B. Hampshire
“Can I buy a new pony toy? That cloud looks like a swan. Can Dad record the songs I want at my funeral?” Our son’s conversations tend to be this random.
Some days my husband and I forget we’re walking Min home—the journey slower than we thought. Thankfully. Then his diminishing mental capacity reminds us. Or a fall or a seizure. And we’re jarred back to reality.
We’ve talk openly about life and death to be comfortable with what lies ahead, although nothing about Min’s life would be considered commonplace, from his birth in a foreign land up till now.
You see, most kids grow up and leave home. Not this son. “A child in a man’s body,” Min says about himself, so we graduated from our parental role and became guardians and caregivers. Our developmentally disabled son would always be with us.
Then life and death collided. When Min—already functioning at less than half his chronological age—was diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer, our caregiving role took on a whole new dimension. Now, not only did our son need help living, He’d need help dying, too.
I confess, I didn’t know how to walk our son home. Not really. But then I realized I, too, have a Caregiver—God, Who watches over me and knows how to do this full well. And because Min gave his heart and life to Jesus as a boy, he’s peace filled and familiar with going to yet another foreign land.
Perhaps, you’ve been entrusted with walking a loved one home. A mammoth task, but know you’re not alone. And rest assured. Your Caregiver knows the way.
Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.
Matthew 28:20
Sarah and her husband, Brian, have served as home missionaries for forty-plus years. They live in southwestern Missouri where Sarah enjoys writing, playing violin, and needle tatting. The Hampshires have five children and thirteen grandkids. Their youngest son, Min (age 29), lives with them and brings both challenges and joy to their days.
Tracy Crump dispenses hope in her award-winning book, Health, Healing, and Wholeness: Devotions of Hope in the Midst of Illness (CrossLink Publishing, 2021). A former intensive care nurse, she cared for her parents and her mother-in-law and understands both the burdens and joys of caregiving. Her devotions have been featured in Guideposts books, The Upper Room, and many other publications, and she has contributed 22 stories to Chicken Soup for the Soul® books. She also conducts writing workshops, freelance edits, and proofreads for Farmers’ Almanac. But her most important job is Grandma to five completely unspoiled grandchildren.
Sarah, your words of wisdom are just beautiful in describing this long walk down the road to home. You’re amazing.
I agree, Sharon. They make me cry every time I read them.
Amen. Immanuel–God With Us. What would we do without Him!
Oh Sarah, it’s a privilege to know you, Brian and especially Min. I have learned so much about trusting God in a deeper way while watching the way you encounter difficult situations and hang onto joy. Love and prayers!
I think God gives some people extra grace, Diana. Sarah must be one of them.
Diana, your words touch me and us. If our circumstance helps others, then it’s useful to the Master. That’s why we’re here. Right?
Thank you for sharing this difficult part of your journey, Sarah. Blessings on all your family as you travel this road together.
Amen, Diana!Sarah has the best traveling companion.
Thank you, Diana. We share the path.
Oh, this made me cry. Walking a loved one home is arduous and gut-wrenching even with the Lord guiding us. Thank you, Sarah, for sharing your story.
I know. It made me cry, too, Lana. So hard. But thanks to God, we’ll all be reunited, whole and perfect, one day.
Thank you, Lana. As our son, Min, says, “It’s a monumentous task!” He likes big words, even if they’re a bit made-up.
Thank you Sarah for sharing your walk and your writing! Both are a blessing and a beautiful reminder of the God who is always with us. Bless you always!
Amen, Val. What would we do without the Lord?
Tracy,
What a heart wrenching story that hits me hard today. Thanks be to God that He is our way home and we can follow Him there and help lead others on that path too. Your messages and words are blessed. Thank you so much for another wonderful heart touching story. This is really beautiful.
Thank you, Pam. This is actually Sarah Burns’s story. I’m so glad she shared it with us and that it touched you. She has been walking this road for a long time, but it’s still a hard path to travel.
It has been a long walk, Tracy and Pam. We wouldn’t want to do it alone. And our Caregiver-God doesn’t expect us to.