Mother's Song

"Mother's Song" found me at a book sale in 1989. It loomed up from the shelf and seemed to be larger than life. The book is a beautiful account of John Sherrill and his family's decision to let go of his mother and let her find peace in death. Although my mother was exactly the age his mother was at the time of her passing, when I first read the book I didn't fully realize the timing or significance of it in my life. Two weeks after reading the beautiful book my mother fell and broke her hip and in many ways followed the same path as Mrs. Sherrill. It helped me greatly in the tough decisions that followed. One of the most beautiful passages in the book is near the end when Elizabeth Sherrill tells her experience which coincides with her mother-in-law's love of the song "O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go". Our family chose to have that same song at the funeral of our Mother. I have read the book over several times and always find meaning and help in its message. It offers a valid help in making the choices that come to us at the end of our parents' lives, and John Sherrill embodies the love of a wise and loving adult child. I came to this site to buy the book for my pastor whose mom is very near the end of her journey and am saddened to find it out of print. I have loaned mine out over and over and the last time it didn't find its way back. Many times I have thought it may have been written just for me.