I was reminded today of a journey I made fourteen years ago. Spring, Passover and Easter week, we traveled to Israel and took my 79 year-old mother with us.

Chrissie and I had planned to go for Passover. I had invited my Mother but she declined. Then just a few weeks before we were to leave she called to say she had changed her mind. We quickly rearranged flights and booked her to come with us as well. She flew to Seattle a few days before the departure. We all left on March 31st, heading first to New York and then to Tel Aviv.

Mother had begun to show signs of dementia over the previous couple of years. To be honest I had not been completely convinced it was that or just normal aging forgetfulness. However on this trip, after spending long days with her, it became apparent that there was significant cognitive decline.

I have written snippets about this trip in the past. Mother would repeat the same questions over and over again. One of the more comical moments happened as we traveled the length of the Dead Sea. She would ask, “Is that the Red Sea?”

“No Mother, that is the Dead Sea.”

Then a few minutes would pass, “Is that the Red Sea?”

The answer, “Nope it is the Dead Sea.” Then we would add a little information about the salinity and the ability to float easily thinking it would create a mental connection for her.

A few miles down the road the question would come again,”Is that the Red Sea?”

We both chuckled. We wondered how this might get us into hot water as we exited the country. Would this happen as we go through security? At that time, possibly still today, security would split up a group. They would ask questions about where you had traveled to see if the stories lined up.

At times my mother was almost childlike. It tried my patience and I was not as loving a daughter as I could have been. We would have plans and if she didn’t want to go she would say, “I’ll just stay in the car.” Of course we were not going to leave her in the car in 90 degree weather while we went into a restaurant to eat. She would dig in and just like a child throwing a tantrum, she would not budge. Through the entire trip Chrissie was a loving and attentive son-in-law. Thankfully, at times, he could easily cajole her into cooperation.

So this is how it went. Good days and frustrating days.

On the good days we took a boat out on the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) which she loved. She listened intently at the Passover Seder which we celebrated with a shelter organization that we support. She was in awe as we visit the garden tomb and took communion there.

We also discovered she loved lamb chops. Every evening meal she had the lamb chops!

The beginning of our trip we were in the north. A friend, Pam, joined us and took us to the little town of Metula near the Lebanese border. We went around the Galilee and the Golan Heights. While there Pam had us stop at the Banias Nature Reserve.

The Reserve is the location of Israel’s largest waterfall that plunges 30 feet into a river of white rushing water. There were lush trails along side of a gorge that carried the water over rapids and mini-falls. It was a beautiful place. While we hiked the trail to the waterfall, Pam stayed with mother at the entrance. She read Psalms to her while they waited. It was a real treat to have a break and see the power of nature.

Finally in the Galilee we visited the Jordan River which is where my memory came from today.

Mother wanted more than anything to be baptized in the Jordan. There is a place that many Christian groups go called the Yardenit Baptismal site. Even though it is somewhat commercialized, it is nice because there are ramps leading into the water and changing rooms with showers.

So we drove to the site. Pam said there were always groups there and they would gladly let mother join with them and baptize her. When we got there the the site was completely empty. I looked at Pam and asked, “What do we do now?”

She replied, “The two of you are here. You baptize her.”

I was feeling a little hesitant as it was overcast and little cold. I told my mother, “You know I really love you because I don’t want to go into that water!”

There is a lot of truth in the lyrics of Michael Row the Boat Ashore.

“The River Jordan is chilly and cold, hallelujah
Chills the body, but not the soul, hallelujah”

Chrissie of course had to see the lighter side. He asked Pam, “So I have never baptized anyone before and now I am going to baptize my mother-in-law. How long do I hold her under?”

Pam took pictures while we did the honors.

We all changed out of our clothes into swimming suits covered by white robes that the site provided.

When mother and I came out of the dressing room, Chris was already at the bottom of the ramp waiting for us. He gently took mother by the hand and we waded into the shallows. We baptized her in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

That was April 2, 2012. Just nine years later my mother passed from this life into her eternal home. Which brings to mind another old hymn my mother loved.

“Yes, we’ll gather at the river,
The beautiful, the beautiful river;
Gather with the saints at the river
That flows by the throne of God.

Soon we’ll reach the shining river,
Soon our pilgrimage will cease;
Soon our happy hearts will quiver
With the melody of peace.”

Robert Lowry 1864