Stella/6-29-12

I went to see Stella again this afternoon.  She wasn't in her room and after waiting several minutes, I decided to leave her a note and return at another time.  On the way out I saw her sitting in a chair in the front room, legs up on the ottoman, and drifting away.  I went up to her and touched her arm and she opened her eyes and seemed genuinely pleased to see me.  It has been nearly a month since my last visit.  She definitely deserves better.

I knelt beside her chair so that I could hear and look into her eyes.  Of course, she felt like that was a no-no, but I assured her I would be fine.  As she began to talk, I was fully aware of the sadness in her eyes.  She was telling me of the 'expiration' of three of her aquaintences from the nursing home.  I found it interesting and a little disturbing that she said expired instead of died or any of the other many phrases we use.  Do people really expire?  Do we all have a date stamped on our packaging that says, "expiration date --/--/--," or "best used by --/--/--?" 

Anyway, she was definitely saddened by their demise, and it was evident in her eyes.  She then went on to say that she prays daily to be taken home: meaning her heavenly home.  Tears sprang up into the eyes of this child of the most high God because I can not imagine life so bad or meaningless that one would not welcome a new day.  But then, I don't "live" in a nursing home.  I am not confined to a building where others decide for me what I will eat, who I will see, and what I can do.  Individuals, like Stella, who are still capable of thinking rationally and seeing to their own personal needs do not need to be in a place like this.  She mentioned again today of how she and her extended family would have gatherings and enjoyed so much together, and now there is no one, except that son of her's I would really like to see...  Family was so important to her, earlier in her life, and now she is alone.

I wonder what would make her life more meaningful, other than the family that is not available?  Is there a ministry, of sorts, she could become involved in? 

There was another woman sitting in a wheel chair near the front door, and she, too, had dozed off.  I have seen her before sitting in that same spot.  Is she waiting for someone, longing for someone?  Another "busy" son or perhaps a daughter. 

While walking through the nursing home, I saw another woman sitting in a wheel chair holding a baby doll.  This was no ordinary doll.  It was the size of a child around 4 months old, was wearing baby clothes, and felt very real like.  Yes, I did touch it!!!  She was holding it so gently, stroking its face and talking with it.  Broke my heart! 

Please, take care of our aged citizens.  Remind them often that they are not alone and are loved.  Give them reason to live until the Lord calls them home.  How often did they care for us at an earlier tme?

Remember Moses?  He was 80 before he began his mission on this earth...

Not Knowing What to Expect.

A friend sent an email several weeks ago that contained only pictures.  Some were funny, some sad, and all thought provoking.  I hope to add one to this blog, if I can figure out how to add it!  LOL  I am reminded of another email that told the story of an old man who did not know how to do something technical, so he called a child to come help him...  There are no children here!
  Hey, I did it!  Guess I am truly in my second childhood...

The look in the eyes of both the father and son tell a story, and it is heart breaking.  Far too many of our military families have told this same story. (And, our government mistreats these American Heroes, but that is another story.) 

The child, far too young to understand the impact of deployment, definitely has a look in his eyes of "why is Momma crying?"  A look of "Dad, what is wrong with Mom?"  It seems to say, "Why are all the people so sad?  Why are you holding us so tight?  Dad...Dad???"

The dad, by the same token, is perplexed ..."What is going to happen?  If I don't return, who will care for my son and wife?  Who will teach him all he needs to learn?  God, what lies ahead?  Please, if possible, let this be a dream...  I really don't want to leave the loves of my life. Please... please..." 

How can some look at this picture and not be moved?  How can some look at this picture and just pass it on in another forwarded email?  THIS IS A REAL FAMILY!

I don't have a clue how old this picture might be, nor do I know the ending of this story... but how can we not "feel" when viewing the heartache in  the eyes of this father and son.  May God bless us with caring hearts and a willingness to stop and realize that some pictures are worth pondering far more than the seconds it takes to scan them.  Let us realize there are lives represented.