On Sunday January 4, 2015 the wife and I went to church, after church we picked up to go food from Panda Express and picked up to go food from Steak and Shake because that is what Mom wanted. Mom and Dad were at Tennova Turkey Creek, Mom had been admitted after Christmas but before New Years. On Saturday night, January 5, 2015 they had done a lung scan and we were expecting answers. After we ate, the Doctor took dad, me, Rachel and the nurse, we discussed the scan (looking at current and previous scans going back years). After the family discussion, Rachel and I left the room, so that I could begin calling family and friends.
After I came back, Rachel informed me that the Pastor of my mom’s brother was in the room with mom and dad. The Church is our family church, Caledonia Presbyterian Church. Rev. Dennis Maxey was currently the pastor at Caledonia. When my Uncle Kenneth mentioned that morning at church that his sister was in the hospital, Maxey said he was going to be there and would go by to visit.
What we found out some time after is that when Maxey came by and as he walked in he introduced himself and asked how she was doing. Mom said I am going home, Dennis said that is great, Mom clarified that she was going home to Heaven. Maxey explained that his wife had died, he was helpful in that specific moment. Five days later, on Friday morning January 9, 2015 at 10:21 a.m. Mom entered the gates of Heaven. Mom and Dad has a good church and their Pastor performed the funeral service, Maxey served our family by presiding over the burial.
Fast forward to about a week ago, my brother called to tell me that Maxey had published a book and would have an open house and book signing at our old family church on Saturday February 13, 2016. I promoted the signing here. My brother and I went, purchased copies and visited briefly with Maxey. I have read it. It is the best book on grieving that I have read, I recommend it. You can purchase a copy from Maxey’s website, here You can also visit Maxey’s blog to follow what he is doing here.
Keep in mind, grief isn’t necessarily about losing a spouse or parent to death. Grief can enter your life through changes in your job, life our any change in your life experiences.
Maxey will have another signing of his book on Tuesday March 15 at the Night of the Arts at Rush Strong School in Strawberry Plains, TN
