I have just recently finished a study on the book of James, and part of the homework for the lesson about two weeks ago dealt with sharing the things we have or hoard. I definitely would not be considered a hoarder, unless someone would consider my books an excess. I do have many books, but what English major doesn't? So, to complete this homework, my mind was filtering through the things I possess, and stopped on the number of vases I have. I have been blessed in recent years to have been on the receiving end of flower arrangements sent for various occasions, and I have a multitude of vases of various colors and shapes. What can I do with vases? Who would want vases? These were the questions going through my mind when I talked with Chrys about my plight. We discussed several options when she said, "Or, you could take flowers to people in the nursing home in them." Wow! What a fabulous idea from the youngest of my very creative daughters.
There is a nursing home that I used to pass on my way to work. The mornings when the first responder vehicles were parked at the entrance door were heart wrenching. I called the home and spoke with the activity director and told her of my desire. She asked me to come in and fill our some volunteer paper work the next day. The next day while talking with her she told me that she got chills when she was talking with me on the phone because one of the residents had been looking for flowers that she just knew her son had sent. (there were no flowers) She just wandered around looking to see if they had been left somewhere. I asked the name of the lady and told her I would bring some for her later that day. I also told her I would bring some each Saturday, so she gave me a list of names that could use some cheering. List in hand, I headed home ...
When I returned later that day, I left the flowers with a nurse and told her the name of the lady to receive the flowers. "Don't tell her where they came from even if she asks. Just allow her to believe anything she wants to about the origin of the flowers, I admonished." Hopefully, she believes she received them from her son.
Today, I put together a pretty bouquet of white daisies and yellow roses and dressed the container in yellow before heading to the home. My recipient this dreary, rainy day would be a lady named Stella. Don't you just love that old fashioned name? I was told she was a little on the lonely side and spent a lot of time in her room, and she does not have a room mate. Walking into her room I noticed a nurse or nurses aide writing on a computerized chart near the door. She sure looked grumpy! Stella was standing with her back slightly toward me, and I called her name so as not to startle her. Turning around, her eyes were locked on the flowers and then she looked at me and smiled the biggest smile. The flowers are so beautiful she said. I let her know they were hers, and her eyes filled with tears. She sat onto her walker and said, "Today has been one of the lowest days of my life. I couldn't even get out of bed until a few minutes ago and, now, here you are brightening my day." Tears were in her eyes and mine. I gave her a hug and asked where I could set the flowers. "Put them right here on the dresser so that everyone can enjoy them," she said.
We talked for awhile and I learned that she has been in that home for two years, and she misses her home in Colorado. Her son brought her to Cedar Park because he did not want her to be alone and then after awhile he put her in the home. He visits her for about 15 minutes four mornings a week on his way to work. The rest of the time she sees no one because all of her friends are in Colorado. She is no longer able to talk on the phone because her hearing is so bad. If she said it once, she said it a dozen times, "I know God will not put upon me more than I can bear, but I am so lonely." I would like to see that son of hers!
Her favorite colors to wear are black and white; although, she loves spring colors and especially yellow. (thank you Lord for leading me in that direction) Roses are her favorite of all flowers, but she enjoys them all. I wonder if her son knows this about her?
We talked awhile longer and as I started to leave, I promised her I would return. She is 89 years young and except for a frail body, she is in full control of her faculties. No wonder at all why she feels so lonely.
I left that place with a few more hugs and being called an angel (be sure I am not) knowing that I had gone in there to try to bless a person who may have been forgotten, and I left there feeling like I had received the biggest blessing of all. There is no greater feeling in the world than to know that for a short period of time you have been used by God to bring a smile and hope to another individual. This day certainly proved to me again that we can not out give God, the One from whom all blessings flow.
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