On the Other Side
Ginger and I had recently taken one of our rides up Hwy. 9 from Hartsel to Fairplay. It was paved all the way, and it was one of her favorite little rides. Sometimes we would stop in Hartsel and get some goodies to munch on as we passed the buffalo ranch and the beautiful scenery on the way to Fairplay. She never tired of the view of the Mosquito Range with the ranches in the foreground as we made our way northward.
It was March 25, 2022. Kids were here. What a special day for Ginger. This would mark the completion of her 87th year. Little did we realize that it would be the last time we would be celebrating her birthday.
Sue kept detailed notes of Ginger’s last days. I have taken bits and pieces of her notes of those special moments. It was sometime in March that Sue noticed in some of the pictures of Ginger that her right eye appeared to be swollen. It was later that Ginger began losing sight in that eye Sue took her to the local optometrist. He strongly recommended that she go immediately to Frisco for thorough imaging. Ginger’s response to the doctor’s advice was: “Let’s do it.” It was there that they discovered a large mass behind the right eye and in the nasal passages. They immediately sent her via ambulance to a neurologist in Denver.
They initially wanted to do surgery but needed to do more tests including a biopsy.
All the kids were coming for their Dad’s 89th birthday and were on their way. During those days everyone was so glad to be home and have some really sweet family time. We prayed, declared scripture, sang songs and enjoyed our time together.
Later in July she had her biopsy. When the results came back, they told us it was a nasal signal carcinoma and it had to come out by surgery followed by chemo and radiation. Results from another lab confirmed that it was a rare aggressive cancer. She began to decline quickly. .
Scott started sleeping on the couch to help his mom get out of bed to use the bathroom several times during the night. It was an added blessing when Trina came back. Trina slept with her every night. Sue also joined the nighttime watch. Ladelle and Steve came back to give everyone a break. Patsy had gone back to Australia.
The kids provided amazing love and care for her. They tended her around the clock. Sleeping nearby, they would arise throughout the night to attend to her needs. The nurses noticed the decline in Ginger’s condition and recommended hospice.
The last of July we did a family zoom with all the grandkids. We prayed, sang and took communion. Each grandchild spontaneously told Gramma Ginger how much she means to them and how much they love her. Hospice came in with a hospital bed which we put in Ginger’s bay window so she could see the mountains. People started bringing us meals, which was a huge help.
On Aug. 6 the hospice nurse came very late as we tried to get Ginger out of bed for the bathroom. At this point Ginger’s body was failing and they had us administer medication to help her breath easier. Whenever they asked her if she had pain she said no. The next day the kids had a sweet day with their mom. Her body had adjusted to the medication and she was comfortable. We sang, prayed and told stories and read the word… Everyone was so grateful for this day. The next day she started to decline again.
Our Sunday zoom on August 7 was with the family, she was not really awake for this but we prayed and sang. The next day she was less responsive to us and as the days passed the kids had to give more medication.
Aug. 11 was Ginger’s Homegoing day. In the morning, Trina and Sue took a break and went to Sue’s class at Mt. Princeton Hot Springs. She was subbing for a friend and taught 2 classes. The last class was with the Silver Sneakers which were mostly locals. Trina and Sue told stories about the Behrman family. The people all loved hearing the history of our family. When Trina shared her dad and mom’s love story, the people loved it.
Ginger’s breathing became sporadic. The nurse told us this would happen and that the end was near for her. All the family was there; Patsy on face time from Australia, Dad, Trina and Steve by her bedside and Ladelle, Scott and Sue piled on Ginger’s king size bed beside her hospice bed. There were many emotions and different responses as Ginger took her last breath. We were all crying and rejoicing that she was no longer confined to a failing body but was pain free, comforted and in the presence of the Lord she loved and served.
I am so grateful to Sue for keeping account of the details of the last days Ginger’s life. Sue and all the children and their spouses have just been amazing as they have taken such loving care of their precious mother. Her discomfort was greatly eased as they lovingly cared for their mom.
Her life left its imprint on many lives. Our children were blessed with a pattern of a true mother’s love. I may have never become a follower of Christ had it not been for her. We both had a lifetime of treasured memories of the most wonderful of delightful times of just being together. The lives she touched through her ministry are without number.
In the months previous to her move to heaven, the promises of our eternal dwelling place became a much discussed topic between Ginger and I. I retrace my steps down memory lane to our little house on the Gasconade River in Missouri. Every evening, as I pulled into the driveway, I would see her smiling countenance as she stood, framed in the doorway, welcoming me home after a day at the Fort. I can envision her now, in these present moments, standing at the entrance to that celestial city, beaming with radiance as she awaits our arrival. What a glad reunion day that will be in the land where we will never grow old. Together we will sing the song of the redeemed. “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals; For you were slain, And have redeemed us to God; by your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation!” “What a triumphant eternal morning that will be!”