Remembered
In 2008, our team met a wonderful example of what a grace filled mother looks like. Her name was Hawila, and she was the mother of Gloria, a little girl born with severe birth defects. It was close to a miracle for our team to meet Hawila and Gloria. Our team was going to volunteer at the medical base on the island of Halmahera, but our flights from Manado to Halmahera were delayed for three days. It actually became a bit funny because we could have been upset or we could look for a divine appointment in the three days we waited for our flight. It was on the first day of our delay that we heard about Gloria. Later that day we met Hawila and her husband, their daughter, Gloria, and Gloria’s older sister. Doane, a team member, from Los Angeles, was a pediatric nurse, and her experience and skill were very valuable as she examined Gloria.
Hawila told us the doctor who delivered Gloria counseled her to just let her die. Hawila could not stand the thought of letting her daughter just die, and she named her Gloria. She said, “I named her Gloria to the glory of God”. I do remember Hawila holding Gloria and just beaming with joy. She was showing us by her love and joy what motherhood looks like. She never once gave up on Gloria.
Attempts to find a hospital to assist Gloria all fell short. Her needs were so complicated, and the doctors realized that even with reconstructive surgeries, Gloria would not have a very good quality of life. Hawila heard the doors closing to medical help for her daughter but accepted it with inspiring grace. It is a rare gift to want something so much and to have the ability to navigate your emotions when hope is dashed. Some find these disappointments lead them to deep valleys, but she showed a total trust in God. Maybe that is why she was so full of joy and never asked anyone to carry her load. Hawila led a life full of grace to everyone around her.
When Gloria passed away, there was the disappointment at the loss of her daughter, but her words were like salve on a wound. She said of the life of Gloria, “God gave her to us for 500 days”. She had come to a place of acceptance and peace. She did not blame anyone including the Almighty. She rested in the loss and rejoiced in the time she had with Gloria. Complaining, finger pointing, and playing the blame games were so far below where she was living. It was pure contentment in whatever state or circumstances. She was on higher ground. Contentment and peace were shouting from her being. There is no doubt she was molded into a grace filled mother and woman by living close the One who gives grace to all who seek it.
Six years following the passing of Gloria, this year, Hawila died of what they believe was a sudden heart attack. We were all so blessed to have met and known this woman. She will be remembered as a woman of grace and peace.