Mrs Smith prepares for her final journey
Annie opened the gate Dad had erected between Mrs Smith's garden and their own.
"Stay behind Scamp," she told their spaniel which tried to follow her next door.
"Mrs Smith is sick.
I need you to stay behind and guard the gate for me till I return."
Her faithful dog wagged his tail, and lay down at the gate.
Scamp's trustful eyes followed Annie as she carried the basket Mother had prepared up to the kitchen door.
After knocking, she stood back until Mrs Benson opened the door.
"Hello Annie," the lady said.
There were few traces left of her former surliness.
For two months she had been Mrs Smith's inseparable companion, caring for her with the love of a sister.
Dad surmised that Mrs Benson was mellowing with old age.
Annie had her own theory.
She believed the caring attitude and life of faith in God lived by Mrs Smith was teaching Mrs Benson more about the meaning of Christianity than all the sermons and books she could have read on the topic would have done.
"Mrs Smith has had a very bad night," Mrs Benson was whispering now.
"She fell asleep a few minutes ago.
Maybe you'd better come back in an hour's time."
"Is that Annie at the door, Sally?" the patient's wavering voice called from the bedroom.
"I'm longing to see her.
Please bring her in."
Annie followed Mrs Benson into the bedroom and sat down on the chair beside the bed.
The patient reached our her hand for Annie's and for a moment they sat quietly, just holding hands and sending out waves of love to one another.
Then Annie whispered: "How are you feeling, Mrs Smith?"
"Fine, fine," the patient replied, though the look in her faded eyes belied the words.
"And how are you yourself?"
A tear made its appearance in the corner of Annie's eye and Mrs Smith spotted it.
"Please don't be sad because God will soon be coming to fetch me," the old lady begged.
"It's a wonderful thing to know that we will one day all be together in Heaven."
Annie managed to produce a watery smile.
Mrs Smith said to her, "You've always been so precious to me, like a daughter or granddaughter.
Annie, don't worry on my account.
I long so much for Heaven.
I so dearly want to meet our Lord face to face."
Mrs Benson had returned to the room.
She had been making tea in the kitchen and was carrying the tray into the bedroom.
"Mrs Duncan has done us proud as always.
She's sent a basket with all sorts of treats for us ... what's the matter dear, aren't you well?"
Mrs Smith was lying back on the pillow, her eyes closed.
"I'd like Father to give me the Anointing of the Sick to support me through this time," she said.
"I'd like you and Annie to be present."
"Isn't she too young?" Mrs Benson said, eyeing Annie with misgiving.
"Young as she is, she is a true Christian," Mrs Smith said.
"I want her to see for herself that Christians need have no fear of death.
It is only a birth into Heaven, the place where we will live forever with God.
It is a place where there is no sickness, ageing, war, pain or death.
It is a place of happiness and joy."
Annie gazed at Mrs Benson who had en expression of hopeless longing on her face.
Father was right, she realised suddenly.
Mrs Benson truly did want to learn about Christianity and the joy and hope it brings.
The telephone rang and Annie ran to answer it.
"Is that the Smith residence?" a male voice asked.
"Yes it is sir."
"Is Mrs Benson in?"
"She is. I'll call her for you."
"Please do. It's her son speaking. Thank you. Goodbye."
"It's a pleasure," Annie answered politely.
Annie went to call Mrs Benson.
"Your son William is on the line," she said.
At her words, a look of joy swept over Mrs Benson's face.
She went swiftly past Annie into the hall, where she snatched up the receiver and quavered, "Hello!"
"Shut the door won't you, Annie?" Mrs Smith requested.
Annie promptly obeyed.
What passed through the patient's mind as the two of them silently held hands, Annie could not guess.
But her own little heart was filled with sunshine on account of Mrs Benson's good fortune.
For surely William would not be telephoning his mother unless he had decided to bury the hatchet?
When Mrs Benson returned to the room, her face was radiant.
"William is going to become a Christian," she said.
"He and his fiancèe are attending the instructions together.
He will be received into the Church in a few months' time.
They intend to marry shortly afterwards.
And they have asked me to the wedding.
And now," Mrs Benson said, "I'll ring Father for you, Mary."
Ten minutes later the priest arrived.
He was putting a small white stole around his neck.
While waiting for him, Mrs Benson and Annie had laid a starched white cloth on the bedside table, on top of which they had placed a large candle on a candle holder, a small container with water, a small hand towel and another container filled with fresh wisps of cottonwool.
Annie knew that the ministry to those who are sick included the Anointing of the Sick.
This wonderful Sacrament is a means of grace provided by God by which He touches His people with His healing love and power.
These include the Scriptures, prayer, Holy Communion, the laying on of hands and anointing with chrism oil.
When this Sacrament is given, the Church works alongside the medical profession in continuing Jesus Christ's healing ministry.
The priest greeted the two women and the child, saying: "The peace of the Lord be with you."
"And also with you," Annie responded.
Father took out a flask of holy water, sprinkled some over Mrs Smith and then over the room, saying:
"Let this water call to mind your baptismal sharing in Christ's redeeming passion and resurrection."
Beautiful words of the Service of the Anointing of the Sick followed.
Annie and Mrs Benson left the room while Mrs Smith spoke to God with her confession, with Father Tom at her side.
Father Tom read from St James in the Scriptures, chapter 5 verse 14 ;
'Is anyone among you sick?
Let them call the elders of the Church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the Name of the Lord.'
Father Tom prayed: "Lord, through this holy anointing, comfort Mary Smith with Your Love and Mercy."
He continued praying for Mrs Smith.
Mrs Benson and Annie responded "Lord hear our prayer".
It was easy for them to follow the service of spiritual comfort as Father had given them a booklet with the Service and responses.
In silence Father Tom laid his hands on the head of Mrs Smith.
The lady had shut her eyes and looked serene and peaceful.
Father took up the oil he had brought, dipped his thumb in the special chrism and blessed Mrs Smith's forehead and hands.
Annie's eye fell on the tea tray Mrs Benson had brought in after she had first arrived.
Nobody had had a cup of tea or anything to eat, what with William's telephone call, Mrs Smith's request for Father Tom and Father's arrival.
Father started the prayer of Jesus, the 'Our Father'.
To Annie's surprise Mrs Benson joined in, although she faltered a little with the words.
Mrs Smith reverently received Holy Communion.
Father Tom then came over to Annie and gave her Communion too.
Annie knelt down and prayed, her eyes shut tight.
After a time of quiet prayer where Jesus' Presence could be felt with peace and comfort among them in the room, Father Tom concluded the Sacrament.
Father then left the house.
Annie stayed with Mrs Benson and Mrs Smith for another while.
Then she too slipped away.
She did not say goodbye.
Neither did Mrs Benson, while Mrs Smith appeared to have sunk into sleep.
Annie heard Mrs Benson lock the kitchen door as she herself went into her own garden and climbed up the mulberry tree, embracing the stem.
She realised that it would not be long before God would send for Mrs Smith to join Him in Heaven.
Annie never saw Mrs Smith again.
She died peacefully, shortly after midnight, on the fifteenth of August, the Feast of Our Lady's Assumption into Heaven.
During the funeral held three days later, Annie sat with Mrs Benson.
Father spoke of Mrs Smith.
"It was always Mary's desire to die in her own house.
One of you here present today made this possible, for which all of us who loved her are profoundly grateful."
Annie smiled up at Mrs Benson, and was surprised to see tears gush down her face.
She reached out to hold her hand and Mrs Benson laid her workworn hand in Annie's little one.
When the funeral was over, Father Tom went to enter his vehicle.
"One minute please, Father," Mrs Benson called and he paused.
"Pray for me for courage, Annie," she said as she walked towards Father, Annie close on her heels.
"Father, please, if it's all right with you, I'd like to be instructed in the Christian faith," she said.
"May I telephone you later this week?"
And when Father Tom smiled his approval, Annie' heart lifted.
Edited by Catherine Nicolette
Watercolour image by Catherine Nicolette
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