A Mother's Farewell to the Shadowlands: In Memory of Charlotte Hancock

In the afternoon of Monday, December 13, 2010, my life changed in a way that I never imagined. My mother, Charlotte Hancock, died. Regardless of my mother’s failing health, I never thought it would come now. I was aware of the “one day” that was coming. Unfortunately for me, that day had already arrived. Nevertheless, there is a goodness that comes through this pain, a goodness that I can’t even imagine, but I know with all certainty it is there. Although many may not have known my mother Charlotte, her death is the same end we will all meet at some point. This end doesn’t spell despair as some believe; it actually opens the way to paradise.

The morning after her death, I stared at the ceiling in my brother’s spare room wishing that I would awake from such a nightmare. Instead, I was met with an odd thought: The Chronicles of Narnia. C. S. Lewis is my favorite author, and The Chronicles of Narnia are my favorite pieces of fiction. Most people are familiar with the recent movies including the latest that was released that previous weekend, but the book that stood out to me at that moment was more obscure. The Last Battle is the final book that concludes with the end of Narnia. In the last chapter, “Farewell to the Shadowlands,” the Pevensie children are dead, yet they are unaware. The Christ figure Aslan reveals this to the children in what I consider to be the most beautiful passage of the seven books:

"There was a real railway accident," said Aslan softly.
"Your father and mother and all of you are - as you used to call it in the Shadowlands - dead. The term is over: the holidays have begun. The dream is ended: this is the morning."
And as He spoke He no longer looked to them like a lion; but the things that began to happen after that were so great and beautiful that I cannot write them. And for us this is the end of all the stories, and we can most truly say that they all lived happily ever after. But for them it was only the beginning of the real story. All their life in this world and all their adventures in Narnia had only been the cover and the title page: now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story which no one on earth has read: which goes on forever: in which every chapter is better than the one before.

This passage paints a picture too beautiful to explain. The children were dead. This is a terrible thought for us in our carnal, earthly minds, but we must look beyond this world to what lies beyond. For the believer in Christ, death is not the end; it is the beginning of the holidays. My mother was a firm believer. While she may have not graced the church door as often as many other church goers, she knew her savior. She knew him well, and because of this faith in both our parents, my brother and I grew to know him as well. We were given the greatest gift any parents could give to a child.

We like to remember our loved ones for their worldly characteristics. My mother had a sharp wit, stern personality, and a heart overflowing with love. I will remember and cherish these things for the rest of my life, but the most important thing to know is that she was a child of God, a follower of Christ. Because of this, she is with Him in paradise. She feels no more pain, sorrow, disappointment, or any other worldly affliction. She now has more than we could ever want: joy, love, and comfort in the very presence of God.

A good memorial piece is what some hope to hear in this letter. While memories will remain, a look to the future is what the importance is. God wants us to look forward and live our lives in Him. Charlotte Hancock had a job to do on this earth. Her job is now complete, and she has been called home. On December 13, 2010, she began Chapter One in the never-ending book of life and just like the children in Narnia, each chapter is better than the last.

What does this mean for us? It means that we all still have a job to do. We are here for a reason, and that reason is to live in communion with God, to spread His hope and love to all. I urge all that know Christ to live your life to the fullest with Him at the center. For those that do not know Christ Jesus, call on His name for the forgiveness of sin and salvation. He doesn’t promise a cushy life on earth but everlasting life beyond the grave just like my mother has. It is there for us all. We just have to want it and believe. If so, he will give it. And for this, I know I will see my mother again and most importantly, I will be with Jesus in paradise forever.

For my work, I have devoted myself to spreading the word through my blog The Zealots Path found at thezealotspath.blogspot.com. I invite all who seek the Lord to come read. This doesn't mean that I picked my "work." God has a specific job for all of us. We may not know until it comes what it is, sometimes after it passes. Nevertheless, if we turn to Him, all will be right, and we will be with Him.