Mayva Weaver moved to the Baptist Reynolds Hospice House on January 20 to enjoy the last few days of her long life in comfort.
Ten months later she remains a patient at Hospice House and spends her days making decorative metal crosses for others whom she thinks need a little reminder of God’s love.
“I think it’s kind of an inspiration to some of the people here,” Weaver said of her crosses. “Because maybe they only have a short time here, and it will ease that.”
She began making the crosses more than a decade ago while her son was going through a recovery program. “I just started making them and never stopped,” said Weaver. First they were for the patients, then she made them for their families. Eventually so many people wanted them, she just carried a few on her to give away. “Anyone who will hold out their hand— I’ll give them a cross,” she said.
Weaver did not dance around the subject of her mortality; instead she prefers to appreciate her life and the time she has to help others. “My diagnosis is that I’m dying. That’s it; I was not going to live. I came here thinking I would only be here for a few days,” Weaver said. “There’s something I’m supposed to do so I’m still here. I don’t have any idea what it is, but He’s not through with me yet, so I just keep on making crosses.”
Carlene McAllister, director of Hospice House, said, “She’s just an incredible person and she wants to share those crosses with everyone she encounters. She spends the majority of her time working on those crosses when she feels up to it.”
The staff at Hospice House loves to see their patient being so active, and many have their own crosses. McAllister has one on a chain around her neck as a reminder of the ministry they receive from Weaver.
Weaver said she just wants to have some impact on people who are going through hard times.
“I know I’ve touched some people, in good ways and bad ways I’m sure, but I know I’ve touched some people in ways that matter.”
Weaver said the crosses are meant to give people some peace. She believes they have meaning for the people who receive them.
“When you pick up one of these crosses it gives you a feeling. Kind of like when you walk into this place, it just feels so peaceful when you walk through the doors. I just hope the people I give them to get that feeling, too.”