mike - i'm so sorry to hear about your mother, i went through a similar experience of a loved one being sick although i'm sure not to the degree of what you're going through. i can't even begin to imagine... i hope this story (although trite) is helpful to you: Footprints in the Sand One night I had a dream. I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Across the sky flashed scenes from my life. For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand, one belonged to me, and the other to the Lord. When the last scene of my life flashed before me, I looked back at the footprints in the sand. I noticed that many times along the path of my lifethere was only one set of footprints. I also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in my life. This really bothered me and I questioned the Lord about it. "LORD, you said that once I decided to follow you, you would walk with me all the way. But I have noticed, that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most, you would leave me." The Lord replied, "My precious, precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you." i'm just down the street if you need me ... shirley