The silence in the room was almost disturbing.   It was that near deafening lack of sound that grabs

one's attention faster than thunder.

 

"She did the most remarkable thing," he went on to explain.

 

"Sometime during the week that followed I visited her room.  Knowing she was still downstairs, I wanted

see if there were any obvious signs of concern.  She had asked for a few pictures of her mom and I

wanted to see what she did with them."

 

With a gentle smile on his face he said, "The room was dark.   I reached over to turn on the small lamp

next to her bed and discovered something marvelous," he said.

 

"At first I didn't understand.  But with a click of the light I could see it more clearly."

 

We all stood motionless waiting for him to go on.  He took his time as he stumbled over the memories

still fresh in his mind as though it were just yesterday.

 

"She came in behind me suddenly.  It startled me.  I didn't know if she wanted me to find this," he said.

 

"Daddy.  You were right," she said to me.  Then pointing to the ceiling I discovered this treasure.  She

had somehow written the word "Mom" on the very top of the light bulb.  From it's dark, cracked,

appearance it may have been nail polish. 

 

All week she had asked me to leave the light on each night.  I guessed she was afraid. 

But her face beamed with a beautiful smile." 

 

Now choking on his words to us he said, "She said Daddy, you were right.  There she is." 

She held her hand just above the lamp faintly she could see the word "Mom" on it. 

 

"She went gently into the light," she said to me.  We cried happy tears," he said.

 

There wasn't a dry eye in this circle of strangers.

 

"It has been over 30 years since my wife's passing.  If you are wondering, yes, I still have that lamp. 

Whenever my daughter comes to visit me, I bring the lamp into the room and turn on the light.

Although faded, you can still see...

"She went gently into the light"