One of the loneliest moments of my life took place during my turn to keep overnight vigil in my mother’s hospice room. I was still reeling from the shock of her accident and coming to terms with her approaching death. That night and the weeks leading up to it showed me the meaning of desolation in a new way. Even though my mother was not conscious, I took time that night to say what I felt I needed to say to her before she died. When I had said all that I could think of, we settled into a long period of silence. In my need to break the silence, I picked up my prayer book to pray Compline. 

As I sat in my grief, I found myself reading Psalm 134. This short, two-verse psalm reminded me that while I felt alone, “The Lord who made heaven and earth” was keeping vigil alongside me and my mother and extending a hand of blessing over both of us during that long night watch.