Installment #45 Sister Nancy comes to call.

     Tucker had gone up to his room to rest after breakfast and Cynthia was putting the last of the dishes in the cupboard when the doorbell rang.  She hurried to the door and pulled it open.  Sister Nancy stood on the porch smiling.  Cynthia reached out and embraced the dear woman.  This woman was truly a gift from God.  Cynthia could not help being humbled every time she encountered her.  Today was no exception.

     “Well, Cynthia, here I am.  I told you I would come and where is our dear Tucker?”

     “He went up to lay down a little bit, but I heard him walking around, so he is not asleep.” 

     Sister Nancy smiled and stepped to the bottom of the stairs.  “Tucker Fuhrman!  This is Sister Nancy down here to see you.  I am in my full habit and you better get down here right now.”  Cynthia smiled at the nun who stood there in a pair of blue jeans, tennis shoes and a cotton blouse.  She was smiling and her whole face beamed.  To Cynthia’s surprise, Tuckers face appeared at the head of the stairs.  He looked like a naughty school boy caught with his hand in the cookie jar.  As he started slowly down the stairs Cynthia was suddenly filled with happiness.  This was going to be alright.  She knew it!  She reached for the leash and Cleo ran to her side.

     “OK, Sister, you are on your own.  I will be back in an hour or so and if you are gone I will catch up with you later.”  With that she and the dog stepped outside, pulling the door shut behind them and when she came back later, Sister Nancy was gone and nothing was said about the visit.  Tucker did make the remark that “Sister Nancy was not at all like I expected her to be.”  And Tucker seemed to have a more relaxed air about him.  For that Cynthia was grateful.

     And Tucker did have more news.  “Some guy called today from hospice.  He is a volunteer.  I forgot his name, but he is going to come and visit later this afternoon and he says he is a cook.  Well, he actually said he was a chef.  He will fix me something to eat so you do not need to stay unless you just want to meet him.”

     Cynthia smiled.  She knew this would be the “buddy” that hospice had promised.  “I think I will just let you two get acquainted.  I have plenty to do at home.  What time is he coming?”

     Tucker looked confused.  “I don’t know.  He said later, so I guess it will be later.  But you can leave whenever because I think I am going to take a nap!”  He smiled.  Cynthia smiled back.

     “Well, then I am going to leave you to your nap and trust that you will call me later?”

     “Yes, I will.”  He stood and kissed her on the forehead as she stood in the opened door.  Then he closed it behind her, turned the key and started up the staircase toward his bed.  He needed this time alone to think back on his visit with Sister Nancy. 

     As he lay on his bed being very careful not to disturb the covers, he reflected on his visit.  He was glad that Cynthia had taken the dog and left him alone.  At first he had known a moment of panic.  A Catholic Sister in his front room!  He had carefully avoided all things Catholic for many years and now there was one standing right before him.

     She did not have a habit on at all!  She was dressed in blue jeans.  And she was short!  Very short.  Shorter than Cynthia.  And heavier.  And her face was round and her smile was wide and very friendly.  If he had to pick a mother figure out of the women in the whole world, he would have picked her.  He longed to fall in her arms and let her hold him and soothe all his fears.  If only… 

     And then to his surprise, Sister Nancy opened her arms and the 6’2” German from St. Louis who needed no one to make his life complete was suddenly clinging to this tiny woman and pouring out his heart; his needs, his wants, his frustrations, and his terror at the prospect of leaving this world.  And she patted him softly and crooned to him.  Yes! He was home with the beloved Catholic Church that he had left so many years ago.  And Father Pat would come to see him and Father Pat would prepare his soul for it’s journey.

     And as he closed his eyes he could see the beloved Blessed Mary with her arms open wide and behind her was Momma and Poppa.  Oh! And Grandma.  As he drifted in the blessed arms he slept the first peaceful sleep he had known in 50 years.  Thank you, my dear Sister Nancy!