Pause & reflect…
“Show me, O LORD, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man's life is but a breath. Selah” Psalm 39: 4 – 5
Psalm 39 was a part of The Bible that inspired Sela’s name, except we obviously dropped the “h!” The word is spread throughout the Psalms and yet, interestingly, the literal meaning has been lost. Some believe it is a direction to pause and reflect. Theologians have studied the Psalms word “Selah” at length. Today I searched for scripture pointing to the fleeting nature of life to be pointed to Selah. Pause and reflect.
When the triplets were in the hospital almost five years ago, many people prayed for them, including the amah community in our building. They prayed much more than we will probably ever know. When the triplets came home the first year was fragile. One of the joys of each day, though, was when a handful of the amahs in our building would come to give the triplets their last bottle of the day. The lights would be dim, everyone spoke in hushed whispers… it was “quiet time” and often when Tess and I could spend time reading with Sebastian before he went to bed. One such helper was Editha, who has lived in our building almost as long as us. Editha has always been willing to help in anyway possible. Editha helped teach Marianne how to cook more dishes last summer. Editha's daughter worked with us for a short period during the transition from Lita & De to Gary & Marianne. Whenever Editha was on the playground with the children she cared for she was always cheerful, pleasant and playful with our own children. Editha has been an incredible friend and support to our family and Gary, Marianne, Lita, De & Mila.
Last night, Editha was coming home from Chi Fu with a friend. It was dark. They got off the mini bus and started to cross Pokfulam Road, a very busy fast-moving street. Standing on the centerline in the middle of the road they checked for traffic. Editha’s friend saw the motorcycle approaching and yelled "Stop!" Evidently Editha didn’t see the vehicle or hear her friend. She stepped out, was hit by the motorcycle and thrown 20 meters down the road. She was taken to Queen Mary Hospital and operated on for several hours. Editha woke up briefly this morning and everyone was relieved.
Later in the afternoon Katie (Editha’s employer) received a call from the doctors saying that Editha was on life support. She is expected to die in the next 24 hours. Editha’s daughter and son-in-law are with her. Her husband and youngest son are on their way to Hong Kong from the Philippines.
Tonight when I got home from work we sat down with the kids to explain the situation. The triplets didn’t really understand but Sebastian did, a bit, and he was sad. Each one of us prayed for Editha – the triplets prayed that Editha would get better. Tess and I prayed that the family would be comforted and for a miraculous healing. Sebastian prayed about Jesus being with Editha. Then we once again reminded them that vehicles are dangerous and that this is why we (1) wear seat belts (2) look both ways when crossing the road (3) don’t play next to a road (4) concentrate and pay attention when crossing the road and (4) hold an adults hand when crossing the road.
As the kids headed to bed, Tess and I went to the ICU to visit Editha. Obviously she is in a coma, one that she will never awaken barring a miracle. We thanked her for being such a loving, supportive friend. We prayed over her and read encouraging scripture. There were other friends at her bedside, including one of the security guards from our building and we were touched to see her.
Tess is weary and now in bed. We are saddened by this situation that happened in the blink of an eye. We have many fond memories of Editha, including the accompanying pictures from Christmas Day 2004 when Tess & I made breakfast for Lita, Mila, Editha and some of their friends. We anticipate the next few days when the family will have the most impossible decision to make, one that in the end seems inevitable.
"Turn Your gaze away from me, that I may smile again Before I depart and am no more."Psalm 39:13
Selah
Aftermath: Editha was pronounced dead less than 24 hours later at 4:19 pm Hong Kong time.
