One compares her death to her father’s sudden loss of employment. This man, Tom, is very bitter and angry about his situation, and even though his wife is a believer, he will not allow her to talk about God or try to say that this is part of God’s plan or His working in Tom’s life. Besides the young adults talking, we also have the parents from the two families meeting together. In the final scene, Sarah’s father, Brian shares with Tom and Tom’s heart begins to soften. Throughout the play there is a lot of witnessing and sharing of the gospel.
Cast of 12 actors (5 male, 7 female). The young adults are probably in their 20’s or at least late teens. About an hour long.
Excerpt:
HANNAH
So she really is going to die, soon? Maybe even today?
BRIAN
Yes, dear. But you know that she won’t really be dead. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. She’s suffered enough. Now she can be cancer free and in her new body in heaven. No more suffering, no more sickness, no more death.
HANNAH
I know that. But we’ll never see her again.
BRIAN
Not in this life, no.
HANNAH
That’s the part that stinks. Having to wait till heaven.
BRIAN
I know.
KIM
Don’t talk too loud, you might wake her.
HANNAH
What if she never wakes up again? She could just go in her sleep.
Brian and Kim look at each other and look at Sarah as they realize this could very well be the case.
KIM
I hope she has a chance to say good-bye.
SARAH
(Opens her eyes)
Are you guys talking about me?
Sarah is very weak, as she is dying, so her talking is very difficult, taking all she has to give to get it out.
KIM
Oh, we woke you. Were we talking too loud?
SARAH
No… I just don’t want to sleep anymore.
KIM
You need your rest, Sarah.
SARAH
Mom… I’m dying. I’m about to have my eternal rest. So… I’d like to stay awake now, if I can. As long as possible.
HANNAH
Your courage is amazing. I don’t know how you do it.
SARAH
Hannah, you’ve always been stronger than me. I think I learned some things from you. One is that we need to be honest. We can’t pretend that this isn’t happening. I’m about to meet Jesus and I couldn’t be more excited about it.
BRIAN
And we’re excited with you, Honey. It’s just harder for us.
SARAH
I know. But I’m totally at peace with it. When you think about it in the right way… it’s the greatest moment of our lives, isn’t it?
KIM
Maybe when it comes at the end of a long life. Yours has been cut short. It’s not fair.
SARAH
Why? Because I get to go first?
KIM
It seems to me you’ve been robbed.
SARAH
Robbed of what?
KIM
A marriage… kids… grandkids…
SARAH
Hannah will get to do all that. I’m fine with not getting any of that. It wasn’t in God’s plan.
KIM
Well, this wasn’t in my plan!
BRIAN
The plans of the heart belong to man…
KIM
Let’s not do verses now, okay?
SARAH
It’s going to be alright, Mom. Really. Can’t we just enjoy these last moments together?
KIM
Last moments?
BRIAN
What would you like, honey? Anything? Should we play some of your music?
SARAH
That’s okay. It’s been nice, but I think I’m about to hear heavenly music.
BRIAN
How about some water? Would you like a drink?
SARAH
That would be nice.
Hannah gets her glass that has a straw in it. She holds it up to her mouth and Sarah takes a little sip.
SARAH
Thank you. Hannah, will you do me a favor?
HANNAH
Anything. Just name it.
SARAH
Be happy. Have a good life. Marry a wonderful man and live your life dedicated to Jesus. Just like you have been. Will you do that?
HANNAH
Of course.
SARAH
And one more thing… would you sing at my funeral?
HANNAH
I’d be honored…. If I can keep it together.
SARAH
You’ve been the best sister any girl could ever want. Mom… Don’t cry, Mom. You need to let me go.
KIM
It’s not easy.
SARAH
I want to thank you for being a great mom. You raised me good. You took me to church and you taught me about Jesus. You always made it easy to come to you with anything that I needed to talk about.
KIM
I was just being your mom.
SARAH
Try not to be sad… okay? (Pause) Dad?
BRIAN
I didn’t know we were going to do this. I hope I can be strong for you.
SARAH
You are strong, Daddy. You’ve always been a tower of strength. You know how the preacher is always preaching to the men… that they need to step up and be men of God? Well, I always thought that you should be the one preaching that… because you are so good at it. You are the best example of what a husband and father should be. I used to think that if I ever got married, I hoped I could do as well as Mom and find someone just like you.
BRIAN
Wow… that’s really sweet…
SARAH
You’re my hero. You always have been.
BRIAN
I think the tables are turned. Now you’re mine. You’ve weathered this thing like a real trooper.
SARAH
(Getting weaker and slower)
It feels good that it’s almost over. I’m tired of being sick.
KIM
How do you feel right now, Sarah? Are you in pain?
SARAH
I don’t want to talk about that. I just feel so tired.
KIM
You need to rest.
SARAH
I want to close my eyes… but I think if I do, I won’t wake up again.
BRIAN
It’s okay, honey. Whenever you’re ready.
Brian and Kim are holding one hand and Hannah is holding the other.
SARAH
I… love… you….. all….
BRIAN, KIM AND HANNAH
We love you.
They quietly sit , watching her as she closes her eyes. After a pause…
KIM
Her breathing seems very weak. Don’t you think?
BRIAN
(Choking back tears)
Yes.
HANNAH
She’s gone. It’s over.
KIM
Oh… I think she’s just sleeping. She’s just sleeping.
HANNAH
No, Mom.
BRIAN
I think Hannah’s right, dear.
HANNAH
Her heart has stopped, there’s no pulse.
KIM
(Starting to realize)
Oh… I wanted more time. I thought we’d have more time.
BRIAN
She hung on as long as she could.
KIM
She shouldn’t have talked so much. It really wore her out.
HANNAH
Mom… I wouldn’t trade those moments for anything!
BRIAN
She wanted to say that to us. It was very special. Now she is out of her pain. She won’t suffer any more.
KIM
I am glad for that.
BRIAN
(Takes Kim’s hand and reaches across the bed to take Hannah’s hand)
Let’s pray. Dear Father in heaven… thank you for loving us and for loving our Sarah. We thank you that she knew you and loved you. We commit her to you now. We know she’s with you… please comfort us now as we will miss her terribly. In Jesus’ name… Amen.
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