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Saved by a Mother's Love
On His Deathbed, Sibling Found Mercy's Saving Grace
By Gerald Kelleher
My older brother, Laurence, was 64 when he learned he had advanced lymphoma. He died after five weeks in a Catholic hospital, after receiving the Sacraments of the Church.
Laurence was the black sheep of the family. As a boy, he had a defiant streak and often disobeyed our parents. My parents, like many of their generation, married while my father was on leave from World War II. They sent their four children to 50 combined years of Catholic education, celebrated 55 years of marriage, and died in the Catholic faith into which they were born and raised.
As soon as he was old enough, Laurence distanced himself from the family, parents and siblings both. He married his high-school sweetheart. Their wedding was the last time he ever saw or spoke to our parents. He and his wife raised three children, whom our parents never met. They were never invited to Baptisms, First Communions, Confirmations, graduations, birthdays, Thanksgiving, or Christmas.
Laurence's heart had hardened. On one rare occasion when I was with him and his family, his teenage daughter asked me if her grandparents were still alive. Laurence had told his kids they were dead when they weren't. Years later, when our mother died, we invited Laurence to attend her funeral. He declined. A few weeks after that, our father died, and he declined another invitation.
By chance, our paths crossed five years later. I hoped this meeting was an opportunity for us to draw closer together. However, the "oil and water" relationship we had since childhood resurfaced. I saw him infrequently, until I learned of his cancer.
On a visit to his hospital room, I told Laurence about the Chaplet of The Divine Mercy, a prayer our Lord revealed to St. Faustina as an offering of unfathomable graces for the dying. Laurence and I recited it together. On a later visit, Laurence asked me to close the door to his hospital room.
His eyes filled with tears as his emotions took control. He said our mother had come to him in a vision, standing in the doorway, appearing as a young woman in an Easter Sunday outfit. Laurence died two weeks later, on Easter Sunday.
I will always see in this Divine Mercy working through an unconditional love of a mother who came to take her son to be with her in heaven.
Gerald Kelleher, who asked that his real name not be used, lives in Pennsylvania.
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maryS — Jul 27, 2010 - 3:40 EDT
I truly believe a mother is one of athe most precious gems on earth,they give whole of her life to save us,unconditional love.
Elizabeth — Jul 27, 2010 - 6:23 EDT
Absolutely true.
I am also praying for my belovd that he understands the sacredness of our relationship and comes back to me. i am prayig that he gets rid of his bad company and bad habits soon. i trust in divine mercy chaplet.
Molly — Jul 27, 2010 - 15:43 EDT
I too am praying that my love comes back to me. he has turned away from a family and thinks a new women will make him happy. my heart is broken and each day I struggle to keep hope and faith alive. His heart is hard and resolute, I pray that I may receive God's mercy just as the good thief did. It seems that I'm at the very last bit of hope. My Jesus knows all and I trust in his mercy.
Mike J. — Aug 2, 2010 - 23:05 EDT
Since my 'better half' left me, I was brought up to the Divine Mercy and I have unceasingly recite it. I'm praying also that she comes back. Her heart is at its hardest and every day I try to hang on to hope and faith. I'm also dealing with cancer with upcoming surgery. I know that God is in control and I'm putting all my trust in His mercy.
Agnes EADM-U — Aug 14, 2010 - 7:16 EDT
Thank you for the sharing Gerald. I was almost losing hope praying the chaplet for my mother. Who is ever distant from me. However much I try to come closer to her something happens and we end-up not agreeing and the end results cursing me. Everyday I cry to Merciful Jesus to heal both hearts mine and hers. Gerald's sharing has given me courage to continue until the end. My roll is just to trust in Him.