Ahma concluded the day (yesterday, July 7) pretty well. Although she was less active most of the day and complained of calf pain, she was grateful that so many of her loved ones were with her. She was happy that we were not forcing her to drink too many batches of "miracle soup" (i.e. special herbal and chicken soup concoctions lovingly made by our various aunts). Instead, she was able to satiate her thirst with ginger ale and watermelon juice. She even ate 3 pieces of watermelon in the afternoon.
When Aunt Sally visited, they talked about Aunt Ching-Fang's promise to be baptized this Sunday (FYI - Aunt Ching-Fang is John and Annie Chen's mom). A few days ago, when Aunt Ching-Fang came to visit Ahma, she promised that she would get baptized. Ahma then called dad and Uncle Hong Tian to encourage them to get baptized as well. They said, "we understand." Later Aunt Ching-Fang reveals that she said she would just to cheer Ahma up. Ahma said this is NOT OK. "You cannot take covenants like this lightly." Good thing dad and Uncle Hong Tian spoke carefully.
After Ahma sat up for her watermelon juice in the evening, we all descended in her bedroom. We sang a few praise songs, including one that repeated a verse (in Taiwanese), "God will take care of you." We changed "you" to "me" and encouraged Ahma to keep this verse in her mind at all times. We also broke open a bottle of champagne (courtesy of George) and had a few sips with Ahma. Cheers to her life, happiness, and love from God! (I'm actually not sure if this is exactly right, so others can correct me)
Ahma went to bed soon after that. I heard that the family, joined by Uncle John, then continued to be a bit ridiculous together (i.e. telling perverted jokes, as we Hsiehs do). As Joanne, quoting the Apostle Peter, rightly said, "to get the full value of joy you must have someone to share it with." I think we were able to live some of that yesterday.
It is indeed such a blessing to have such an awesome family, led by an amazing matriarch.
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