When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home. (John 20:26-27)
Jesus knew the debt of gratitude he owed his mother for all she had done for him. He was dying on a cross and would not be there for her. He assigned his good friend (presumably) John to look after her like a son and for her to be there for John as a mother.
For most of my life Mom was there for me. She taught us the faith, helping us to memorize Bible verses and hymns. She had a great sense of humor and was a fantastic cook. She was easy to talk to, and I often asked her for advice. She always took care of me, my siblings, and everyone else.
My father took care of her during the last two years of her life. She was in constant pain. Then she was taken to the hospital in Louisville. Dad called me and said, “Your mother is terminal. She has stage four colon cancer.” The church allowed me to go immediately to be with her. Day and night I was with her during the last ten days, first in the hospital and then in hospice. I did whatever I could to take care of her. It was the least I could do for her—a privilege and an honor to be with her until her last breath.
Dr. Sam