"We've had a death," the triage nurse told me.

She went on, "Something unusual is happening in the room. When you get to the facility, make sure you go to the nurses station before you go the patient's room."

So, I checked with the nurse. All she said was, "We are not sure if it is real. After your visit, let me know what you think. The husband just died. His wife is with him."

I gently knocked on the door and began to slowly and curiously open it.

"Come in!", the wife shrieked with immeasurable joy and enthusiasm!

Praise music filled the room. She was playing KLOVE, a contemporary Christian music radio station. 

With a mixture of tears and laughter she said, "I heard them. I HEARD THEM! I heard the angels when they came for him!!!"

It is not uncommon for surviving family members to be imaginative in the shock of their new grief. Often people say wishful things like, "Daddy is with Mother now," or, "I can only imagine what it is like to see Jesus."

But this was different. This woman experienced something profound.

In my earliest experience of being a Chaplain, in the same facility I was visiting a man who was dying of AIDS. He and I met several times. On our first visit he wanted to pray and seek forgiveness for his lascivious lifestyle of drugs and unfaithfulness. He lost his marriage, children, self respect, health and now his earthly life was about to end.

During our second visit he asked me to read him a portion of Scripture on Heaven. That destination was not far ahead for him. He was still fearful of the consequences of his wasted life.

"Let not your heart be troubled," I started. It took me a few minutes to recall a verse or two on Heaven. "In my father's house are many mansions. If it were not so I would have told you. But I go there to prepare a place for you and if I go I will come again and take you to be with me, so that where I am you will be also."  (John 141-4) Over the years, I quoted those verses hundreds of times to patients and families at end-of-life settings and during funeral services.

On this visit, via this new widow, I got a glimpse of what it is like when someone experiences, even in a very small fraction, the other side and the reality of that Scripture. It brings unspeakable excitement, joy and hope.

"We had a horrible marriage full of drugs, cheating and fighting. But he went away to Teen Challenge to get free from the addiction. He came to faith and I did too. Jesus changed our lives. Then this cancer came, but I know there is more, because I heard them."

Most of my hospice and hospital calls have not been other-worldly, like that one was. Each person is unique so each death is individual. But this death gave me an idea of what may be experienced after death.

The nurse, sitting at the desk of the nurses station, looked up at me when I returned after my visit.  With a questioning expression, but no words, she asked, "Was it real?" 

"Yes, it was real!" I told her with boldness.

I still believe it was real and when, during Christmas celebrations, I sing or hear, "Hark the Herald Angels Sing," I believe they do. In the darkest, saddest and most difficult times they are doing work we cannot see to help in ways we don't understand.

So when we care, as Care Pastors, Caregivers, and people of faith, we can be reassured that we participate as part of a divine team beyond what we can see.

When you care, it matters!

Your care matters!

Your life matters, 
Chaplain Dan
Rev. Daniel R. Hettinger
303.905.0478