Sometimes there’s something that seems like an act of God rather than a simple coincidence.

I had such an experience on June 6 when I stopped at a garage sale. I was on my way to see my mom at the Lockwood hospice house.

I decided to stop because it would only take a minute or two. I found a magazine sitting on a table. It was a 1978 Newsweek that had four articles on Hubert Humphrey’s death from cancer.

Something compelled me to stop at that sale. The magazine was there waiting for me. I think it was more than just a coincidence.

My mom is nearing the end of her life. She’s been confined to a bed since the Friday before Memorial Day.

I prayed on Memorial Day weekend for God to let her stay with us longer. God answered my prayers. It’s been almost a month and she’s still alive.

In the past month I’ve had a great deal of support from hospice nurses and a hospice social worker. It’s helped me to come to terms with my mom’s situation.

The magazine was part of the process. Reading about the death of a famous person helped me to think about the changes that will take place in my life.

Someone is never totally prepared. I’m more prepared now than I was on Memorial Day weekend. I visit my mom every day. I treat every day like it’s the last day.

I don’t pray for one thing or another, for her to either improve or get her angel’s wings. I’ve just left it in God’s hands. It’s the best approach.

I’m amazed by how fast my life has gone. High school and college don’t seem like a long time ago, but it’s been a long time. I’m not young anymore. Life is full of changes. Time passes quickly.

My mom has been a resident at the Lockwood House for almost a year. In the winter months I would sometimes wear a Marshall Tigers jacket because of how it might remind her of her teaching and my dad’s coaching career.

We would wait for the McDonalds golden arches to light up in the late afternoon on the shortest days of the year. We’d watch the traffic on East College Drive and look for unusual vehicles like semi trucks, school buses, garbage trucks and delivery vans.

I know that she’ll be going to a good place. She’s going to be with my dad. It’s a natural part of the life cycle.

I have many friends who’ve lost both parents. I’m fortunate that my mom has been a part of my life for 58 years. I’m thankful for all the good times we’ve shared.

She celebrated her 87th birthday last month. The hospice nurses gave her a birthday party during the noon meal. She had cake, a balloon and flowers.

Mom has had a very good life. I look forward to every day I get to see her. When the time comes to say goodbye, I’ll be as ready as possible.

It’s a time when you look for signs. You wonder if cardinals are a sign, or even the blackbirds that throw food on the ground from the bird feeders.

My magazine seems like a sign. It’s something that helps. It makes the dying process something that can be sorted out. It just takes time.

— Jim Muchlinski is a longtime reporter and

contributor to the Marshall Independent