Doing Life Together

Diamond Ring and Christmas by Betty Mason Arthurs

Posted on December 21, 2016 by Betty Mason Arthurs

Diamond Ring and Christmas

Betty Mason Arthurs

Christmas time brings both happy and painful memories. Today, I share one of a father’s love and his gift.

A father kept a memorable gift tucked away in the top drawer of his dresser. Among his extra keys, spare change, combs and handkerchiefs nestled, like delicate eggs in a nest, a small blue velvet box. David often touched the box and then opened it to gaze at the beautiful diamond ring, a gift for his lovely daughter.

His daughter was the sunshine in his life. It’s not often parents give birth to a selfless child who loved them “to the moon and back” even after she married. Marcy gave them a delicate granddaughter and handsome grandson. She and her family lived close by and every visit overflowed with her love and concern for her parents.

Marcy would turn 30 years in May. David visited a jeweler and they fashioned a custom gold ring with three small emerald cut diamonds for her birthday. The ring captured a visible, glittering expression of his love. Perhaps someday his granddaughter could wear the ring.

Then a few days before her birthday, and Mother’s Day, came the horrific news every parent dreads. “There’s been an accident. Marcy died instantly.” A few miles from home on a busy city street the van was hit head-on and Marcy’s two children in the backseat were badly injured. One driver was arrested for a DUI.

David, a retired fire fighter, and his wife, Catherine, fought to overcome their own sorrow while caring for Marcy’s grieving husband and their grandchildren. “God help us,” they prayed. There were days and days of hospital visits until the motherless family moved in with them. Sleepless nights followed hectic days of comforting three-year-old Jennie and six-year-old Troy. Catherine often held a weeping Jennie in her arms and rocked her to sleep. Troy said when asked about his mom, “I miss her a lot, her hugs and her smell.”

Christmas approached and the family tried their best to decorate a tree and hang outdoor lights. The children needed new holiday memories. Yet David knew, due to all their extra expenses, money was tight and he wondered how to buy the children presents. How would they pay for the sumptuous dinner Catherine always fixed for all the relatives?

In the black days following Marcy’s death, in the quiet of the bedroom, David would gently open the box and gaze at the precious diamond ring. Sometimes he cried, knowing his sweet girl would never wear it.

Two weeks before Christmas he felt God gave him an idea. Could he sell it to have Christmas money? Would his good friend across the street buy it as a gift for his wife? It would be painful to part with Marcy’s gift, but David was sure she would want her children to have a happy holiday. Catherine agreed, “We need to sell it.”

The next day, David knocked on his neighbor’s door. Teary-eyed, he told the story of Marcy’s ring and opened the tiny box. The ring’s diamonds glistened, beaming forth a sparkling message of love. “We’re really short on Christmas money.” Then he asked, “Would you like to buy it for Lois?” Mark embraced David just as he had on the day of Marcy’s death, “Yes, I’ll buy it. Lois has never had an engagement ring. I’ll save it for our 35^th anniversary in June.”

My husband, John Mark, is the neighbor in this story from 15 years ago. I have also changed the names of our neighbors. Yes, John gave me this priceless diamond ring on our anniversary. I am Betty Lois and you can imagine I wept when told the story of a father’s love when given the ring meant for his daughter. Every time I look at my ring I am awestruck…it’s a symbol of unending love.

One of my favorite Christmas carols is “Merry Christmas, Darling,” sung by the Carpenters in the 1970s. Today we can still hear the rich voice of Karen Carpenter singing about being apart but together in heart and soul. It’s a timeless message for all who have lost a loved one. On Christmas I dedicate this song to David and his daughter.

God the Father so loved us that He gave the incredible gift of His son, Jesus. Christmas shows the almighty, powerful love of God for mankind. Jesus, the perfect gift, “tucked away” by the Father until the right time.

“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.” 2 Corinthians 9:15 (NIV)

Posted in Christmas, Christmas music, Doing Life Together, Faith, Family Life, Family Stories, Fathers, Gifts, Greatest love ever, Grief, Jesus, loneliness on holidays, Love, Parenting, Uncategorized, When life seems too much | Tagged car accident, Christmas love, Christmas story, Diamond ring, father's love, grandchildren, neighbors | 7 Comments

My Favorite Christmas Books

Posted on December 16, 2016 by Linda Carlblom

At Christmas, I sometimes like to read something that gets me in the Christmas spirit. I’ll share a few of the books that have helped me do that.

Mary’s Journal, A Mother’s Story by Evelyn Bence gives life to Jesus’s mother, before she conceived him, during her pregnancy, and in the early years of Jesus’ life. It is imaginatively written, but done in such a way that it seems very believable. I gained fresh insight into that time period, its customs, and what might have been some of Mary’s thoughts and feelings as the mother of God’s Son.

Shepherd’s Abiding by Jan Karon is the heartwarming story of Father Tim trying to restore an old nativity for his wife, Cynthia. It’s filled with the usual quirky characters from Mitford and written with Karon’s typical warmth and humor. If you’re a Mitford fan, you need to add this to your collection.

The Modern Magi, by Carol Lynn Pearson is short, only 71 pages, which may be one of the reasons I love it so much. I actually read this one to my children when they were upper elementary age, one chapter each night. It’s about middle-aged Annabelle Perkins, who dreams of visiting the Holy land to give Jesus a gift at his birthplace just like the wise men did two thousand years ago. She saves her money for months and months and is about to fulfill her dream. But then some surprising things happen that force Annabelle to rethink her trip. I highly recommend this book.

Two from Galilee by Marjorie Holmes is a classic. It’s the love story of Mary and Joseph and includes the early life of Jesus. Holmes uses her generous imagination to bring the pages of scripture alive. If you love this book, you might also want to read its sequels, Three from Galilee and The Messiah.

God’s Precious Gift in a Manger – by Rebecca Ann Lamb is unlike any other children’s Christmas book I’ve seen. Written for kids ages four through seven, it begins at creation and, as the back of the book says, “puts the Christmas story in historical perspective. Ever since sin separated people from God, God had a plan to restore their relationship with Him. Since the beginning of time, He knew His gift would give life back to humanity. And that gift was given…in a manger. Follow God’s plan through the Bible to the birth of Jesus. And gain a deeper understanding of God’s love for His people.” The illustrations by David L. Erickson are absolutely beautiful and the text is written simply enough for young children to understand. At the back of the book are activities and questions for parents to use with their children.

The Christmas Conversation Piece (or as I like to call it, The Christmas Question) by Paul Lowrie and Bret Nicholaus is a book of Christmas related questions. You can use it to spur conversations and get to know people better. I’ve used it as an ice breaker in Sunday school classes, parties, Christmas open houses, and with my own family. However you choose to use it, it’s lots of fun and because of that it has earned its place on my favorite Christmas books list.

Mercy Inn, by Lee Warren, is a new release this Christmas and I confess that I haven’t quite finished it yet. But I’m enjoying it so much I had to include it in this list. Three people traveling to spend Christmas with their loved ones are sidetracked by a snow storm. They all take refuge at The Mercy Inn and find new friendships, faith, and healing.

So there you have it, my favorite Christmas books. Did I leave out your favorites? List them in the comments. Happy reading!

Linda

Posted in Book reviews, Books, Christmas, Doing Life Together | Tagged Christmas books, Christmas spirit, Linda Carlblom | 4 Comments

How to Play “Jingle Bells”

Posted on December 13, 2016 by Andrea R Huelsenbeck

This article originally appeared last year on ARHtistic License.

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Family Singing at Christmas by Betty Mason Arthurs

Posted on December 7, 2016 by Betty Mason Arthurs

Photo by Jeff Weese

Family Singing at Christmas

Betty Mason Arthurs

Memories of my family and our love of music and singing together, now that my parents and one brother are gone, help to overcome my sorrow of missing them at Christmastime and bring me joy. I share a memory from Christmas Eve long ago.

My family stomped their boots on the porch of the old, two-story nursing home. Soft-colored lights and garland adorned the porch railing and reflected off the powdery snow in the early evening. Through the front windows I caught a glimpse of red and green crepe paper streamers draped over the staircase railing and the small Christmas tree in the foyer. It was Christmas Eve.

Giggling with excitement, I pushed open the heavy oak door. “Come on. The nurses are expecting us.” I urged my family forward and shut out the frigid air in Albion, New York.

I was home from college on holiday break in the 1960s. Mark, my middle brother had just arrived on leave from the army and Don, my oldest brother, and his wife Margie, had driven 30 miles over icy roads to join us. Mom’s chili supper warmed our stomachs and Dad, his blue eyes shining above his red wool scarf, couldn’t stop grinning. Our celestial family-choir was ready.

“So glad you’re here.” Yvonne, the evening nurse, shook our cold hands.

“I told our patients you were coming so anytime you want to start singing is fine.”

The smell of antiseptic and the supper of roast beef mingled together in the air. In the room to my left, I could hear Mabel’s gentle snore for she was already tucked in bed for the night. Joan slumped in her wheelchair in the bedroom to my right, staring at nothing while her roommate Bessie snuggled with one of her baby dolls, rocking it to sleep.

For me, the elderly patients in every room were my friends. During the summer I worked with them as a nurse’s aide; the other months I pursued my nursing studies. Because of tight quarters in the Victorian-style house, we stood in the foyer to sing.

Our family tradition every Christmas was to go caroling at a nursing home, sing in church, or perform in school musicals. For us, music permeated every part of the holidays. My brothers went on with their own lives to college and careers, but every time they managed to get home, we sang. If all we did was carol around our old piano, it was a tradition we loved.

We burst out in song, “Hark! the herald angels sing.” Don and Margie sang the melody. Mark and Dad belted out their sweet tenor. Mom and I carried the alto. It seemed like we split the air with three-part harmony up to heaven. Music had bound us together through the good and bad times as a family. Could we bring some joy to the lonely patients this cold winter’s night?

“Joy to the world, the Lord has come” and “O little town of Bethlehem” we sang even louder, infused with an inner joy Christmas brings. We sang song after song, until finally “Silent Night” ended our winter serenade. Then we quietly spread out, going our separate ways to greet all of our listeners. We held fragile hands, gave hugs, and kissed wrinkled cheeks.

Mabel, now awake, her face beaming like a white candle lit in a holy place, took my hand and whispered, “Oh, that was so beautiful. Thank you.” Bessie stood up from her rocking chair and squeezed me along with her baby doll. “Pretty, pretty,” was all she said. Joan, sat up straighter in her wheelchair and tried to talk as I bent to hug her.

Yvonne opened the front door for us and said, “Thank you for coming. It meant so much. We don’t get many singers.” Calling out “Merry Christmas” we stepped out the door. Several called back in feeble voices, “Merry Christmas.”

Back home, Dad turned on the lights of our tree and we munched on Mom’s sugar cookies and drank hot chocolate. We reminisced and laughed about past holidays, recalling when our ginger cat attacked the tree and it crashed in a hail of broken ornaments. Mark and I tied the tree up with rope.

In a few years I married and finally our musical chorus had a bass, my husband John. Then Don’s children and my children joined us with their sweet angelic voices. Singing, whether together or in our own parts of the country, bonded our family.

Now that my parents are gone and my brother Mark too, I treasure the memories I have of singing together, especially the Christmas Eve we sang in the Albion nursing home and touched the hearts of lonely patients.

What are some of your Christmas traditions? Do you hang stockings or bake and decorate Christmas cookies? Please share them with me in the comments below.

Posted in Aging, Celebrations, Christmas, Christmas music, Uncategorized | Tagged Caroling, Family Christmas Memories, Music of Christmas, Singing, Singing at a Nursing Home | 3 Comments

My Homemade Christmas Eggnog

Posted on December 5, 2016 by Linda Carlblom

I’m posting this recipe fairly early in December because you may want to enjoy this alcohol-free, light eggnog all month. I usually make this to sip on while we decorate our Christmas tree.

My husband’s family has made their own eggnog for years. I married into this awesomeness 25 years and 11 months ago. Since I first tasted the stuff, I was hooked. It wasn’t like the store bought junk that’s thick and super sweet. This eggnog is so much better. So even if you’re not an eggnog fan, give this a chance. It may make you the Christmastime hero in your family. I’ve modified it a bit from the original recipe, so I feel comfortable calling it my own recipe. Here goes!

Continue reading →

Posted in Christmas, food, Recipe, traditions | Tagged Christmas, Eggnog, Recipe | 4 Comments

The ITCH that almost stole Christmas by Betty Mason Arthurs

Posted on December 1, 2016 by Betty Mason Arthurs

The ITCH That Almost Stole Christmas

Betty Mason Arthurs

In the 1970s my husband and I along with our two young children lived in western New York farm country. A week before Christmas, John and our neighbor Junior searched the woods for the perfect tree behind our houses along Ridge Road in Ransomville. They rode snowmobiles through the Concord grape and Catawba vineyards and snow-covered fields, on a holiday mission that has never changed for families over many years.

While they were gone, Sue, Junior’s wife, and I and our four children drank hot chocolate in her warm kitchen, laughing and talking about our modern pioneer men.“I sent them off with ropes, a saw and an axe,” Sue said. “Sure hope they find some pretty trees.”

In an hour we heard the roar of the snowmobiles and rushed out to meet our heroes. The children jumped up and down, screaming, “The trees are here, the trees are here!”

“Junior and I climbed the pines and chopped off the top of them. We couldn’t find any nice smaller trees,” John told me, propping our beautiful six foot tall tree against the front porch railing of the old farm house we rented. “Let’s leave it out here so we can shake off the snow tomorrow. Otherwise it’s going to get the floor wet.”

Four-year-old Julie clapped her hands as she ran to the window again and again to see the tree. She told me, “Santa Closet (her funny name for the big guy in red suit) is coming soon `cause he loves baby Jesus.” She had already been searching through our Christmas ornament box. When her brother Robbie toddled over to the box, she handed him unbreakable ornaments to play with saying, “He’s a baby an’ we don’t want him to get cut.”

Tomorrow Rob would turn two years old. We had decided that our family tradition would be to decorate the tree on his birthday. There wasn’t much money this year for presents but we had the perfect gift from the forest.

Later in the frosty day, I slipped on my wool poncho, stepped onto the porch and touched the tree. “Fresh and fragrant beauty, that’s what you are,” I murmured. Tiny pine cones and melting snow glistened on the dark needles of the Douglas fir. “I’m sure the chickadees and squirrels are missing you and being able to pounce on your branches.”

I noticed a dead vine woven through the tree from top to bottom. How quaint, but I don’t want dried leaves all over my floor. With my bare hands I pulled at the vine with white-colored berries which turned and twisted like brown yarn in a dark green quilt. The stubborn vine resisted my pulling and tugging so I yanked harder until it was freed.

The next morning John shook the tree free of melted snow, jammed it into its stand and carried it into our house to the sounds of squealing delight from Julie and Robbie. Its pine fragrance enveloped the house in our favorite holiday aroma.

However, in the night I had developed a severe rash on my hands and arms. Mystified, I smeared a soothing cream over the welts. The itching intensified and in agony I tried not to scratch the burning, red rash.

“What did you do?” John asked. “What did you touch?”

Then I knew. The innocent looking dead vine still packed a punch. Poison ivy! As a child growing up in Kansas I’d had plenty of nasty encounters with poison ivy in spite of my parents showing me the three-leafed plant, “Be careful where you run when you’re in the woods…don’t touch.”

Perhaps, thanks to the hideous vine, that’s one reason why I’ve never forgotten my itch that almost stole Christmas. God knew it held a hidden danger and he helped me protect my family. That Christmas the “what-ifs” flooded my mind: What if John or Robbie or Julie had touched the poison ivy? What if we all had a miserable red-rash-family-Christmas? What if Robbie had eaten a leaf?

The not-so-perfect tree created a funny memory once I recovered from the nasty rash, which just goes to show that memories we cherish don’t always come from perfect situations. God uses them all, good and bad to remind us of His awesome gift on Christmas morning, even poison ivy.

Please share your Christmas mishaps in the comments below. I’d love to hear about them and so would our readers.

Photo by Jeff Weese

Posted in Christmas, Family Life, Family Stories, Nostalgia | Tagged 1970s memory, Christmas decorating, Christmas tree, Itching and poison ivy | 2 Comments

Texas Turkey Casserole: Left-over Turkey Baked with Tortillias by Betty Mason Arthurs

Posted on November 27, 2016 by Betty Mason Arthurs

Texas Turkey Casserole by Betty Mason Arthurs

Do you need to use up left-over Thanksgiving turkey? Here’s a recipe with a Southwestern flavor using corn tortillas, one of our family’s favorites.

Texas Turkey Casserole (Can be baked in oven or microwave)

For 6 servings you will need:
1 Tbsp. oil
½ cup chopped onion
1 small can diced, green chilies
1 medium tomato
1 small clove garlic, minced or garlic powder
2 Tbsp. butter or margarine
1 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
1 Tbsp. cornstarch
¼ tsp. each salt and pepper
½ tsp. chili powder
1 cup chicken broth
½ cup milk
8 corn tortillas
2 cups cooked turkey, chopped (can use more)
6 oz. shredded Jack or Cheddar cheese

Preparation:

1.       Heat oil in skillet. Sauté onion, chilies, tomato and garlic over low heat,
stir until onions are softened.
2.   In small sauce pan, melt the butter. Stir in flour. Cook for a minute.
Stir in salt, pepper and chili powder.
3.      Slowly add the broth. Stir over medium heat until thickened. Add milk.
Heat thoroughly.
4.      Lightly butter an 8-inch baking dish. Lay 4 tortillas in dish.
Evenly distribute 1 cup turkey over the tortillas.
5.      Spoon ½ cup sauce over turkey. Sprinkle with half of cheese and
half of vegetable mixture. Add ½ cup sauce. Repeat with remaining
tortillas, turkey, sauce and vegetables, topping with cheese.
6.      Bake at 350 F for 20 to 25 minutes until heated through.
(Microwave at high power for 8 minutes.)

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged baking, casseroles, food for the family, kitchen, Thanksgiving food, Turkey left-overs | Leave a comment

Review of My Rhyme-Time Bible for Little Ones by Donna Clark Goodrich

Posted on November 25, 2016 by Andrea R Huelsenbeck

It’s the day after Thanksgiving–only one more month before Christmas!

But if someone on your Christmas list is between three and six years old, may I suggest a beautiful Bible storybook–in rhyme?

My Rhyme-Time Bible for Little Ones is gorgeously illustrated. It features the biblical heroes and events that captivate children:

the creation
Noah’s ark
God’s promise to Abraham
Joseph, whose brothers were so mean to him, yet he gave them food when they were starving
Moses, the baby in a basket who became a great leader
Ruth, who left her home to support her mother-in-law
Samuel, who becomes a great prophet
David, who fought a giant
Queen Esther, who saved her people
the birth of Jesus
Jesus’ miracles
the disciples
Peter, who denied Jesus, and then spent the rest of his life telling people about him

Goodrich retells these stories in rhyme. I am very fond of rhyming books for children, if they are as well-done as this one is. In my opinion, repeatedly reading rhymes to children helps them recall the words, and encourages them to read for themselves. (See Why and How to Read to Your Baby.)

Goodrich is well-known among the Christian writing world, and (full disclosure) is a good friend of mine, as well as a contributor to this blog. She has authored 24 books and over 700 published articles and short stories, and is hard at work writing a book for caretakers. A freelance editor and proofreader, she’s also a popular instructor at Christian writers conferences and has presented writers’ workshops across the US. Many writers owe their starts to Donna Goodrich.

Posted in Bible, Book reviews, Books, Christian Living, Christmas, Gifts | Tagged Children's books, Christmas gifts | 1 Comment

Thanksgiving Interview by Betty Mason Arthurs

Posted on November 22, 2016 by Betty Mason Arthurs

Thanksgiving Interview by Betty Mason Arthurs

One of America’s greatest celebrations is in a few days, Thanksgiving. It’s a time we remember the Pilgrims who came to the new world to escape persecution for their religion. On that special day, for most families, we gather in our homes amid the fragrant aroma of days of cooking and baking. Some family members travel long distances just to be home for the Thanksgiving feast. In our Arizona family, we consume massive amounts of turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy (please leave out the chopped giblets), piles of stuffing, yams garnished with marshmallows, and green bean casserole, veggie and fruit platters, cranberries, dinner rolls and pumpkin and peach pies. Yummy new recipes from Pinterest will often invade our traditional meal.

This year amid all the turmoil in our nation and around the world, I wanted to get a young person’s perspective on Thanksgiving. I interviewed our granddaughter who is a college freshman and studying nursing at a local university. How did her viewpoint on being thankful differ from us, her Pappy and Gammy? There’s a large generational gap between her 19 years and our 70-plus years.

Using an acrostic of the word “Thanksgiving” I compared her answers to ours when I asked her, “What are you thankful for?” Here are her first answers:

T…Thundering Heard (that’s right) Pep Band: Her participation as a saxophonist is fun way to make new friends and develop as a musician.

H…Home: This is her first time away from her family.

A…Academics: She likes gaining new knowledge.

N…Naps: Late night studying is exhausting so naps are welcome.

K…Kin: She loves going home to her mom and dad and three younger brothers.

Pappy’s answers are different from his granddaughter but similar in one way. His “K” is for his sister, Kay. His “G” is grandkids. I also had “G” for grandkids. My “A” was aunts because even though my five aunts have died, I have fond memories of time spent with them. “Kin” are important to the young and us seniors.

Let’s continue on with our granddaughter’s acrostic:

S…Snow White: This is the name she gave her car.

G…God: She is a Christian.

I…Idiosyncrasy: She laughed and said, “I’m different than most people.”

V…Very joyful: She does have a joyful spirit.

I…Instrument: Playing the sax is an important part of her life.

N…New friends: College life has created more friendships.

G…Good memories: These will last for her lifetime.

Only Pappy had a food item in his list, “I” was for ice cream and we all know how important food is to a man. I’m sure if there was a “C” us girls would have listed, “Chocolate” while Pappy would have said “Coffee.” For “N” I wrote “Nurses” since my granddaughter is a nursing student and I’ve had my share of hospitalizations.

All in all, our Thanksgiving acrostics showed a spirit of thankfulness has no generational gap. Thanks to parents, grandparents, teachers, church youth leaders, and coaches who have invested their time, talent and treasure in their lives, many of our young people are enjoying their lives today and have hope for the future. I know our college student does.

This Thanksgiving, let’s give thanks for all we have, praying for our world, our country and its leaders. Why not ask the people of all ages in your life, “What are you thankful for?”

Hymn “God’s Gifts in Nature” from the German of Mathius Claudius

We plow the fields and scatter

The good seed on the land,

But it is fed and watered

By God’s almighty hand;

He sends the snow in winter,

The warmth to swell the grain,

The breezes and the sunshine,

And soft refreshing rain.

We thank thee, then, O Father,

For all things bright and good,

The seed-time and the harvest,

Our life, our health, our food;

Accept the gifts we offer

For all thy love imparts,

And, what thou most desirest,

Our humble, thankful hearts.

Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal, 1878

Happy Blessed Thanksgiving to all of you!

Posted in America, Celebrations, Family Life, Family Stories, Grandparenting, Holiday, Thanksgiving, Uncategorized | Tagged College Student, Gratitude, Thanksgiving | 7 Comments

Church at the Nursing Home

Posted on November 18, 2016 by Linda Carlblom

(This post first appeared on Parenting With a Smile in July, 2016.)

Rollin and I went to church on a Thursday afternoon in Minnesota with his 93-year-old dad at his assisted living home. Folding chairs lined the activity room and about fifteen gray-headed people congregated there. Walkers parked along the perimeter of the meeting place.

holding-elderly-hand1

The kind-hearted preacher spoke with conviction about the peace and joy Jesus gives. His voice rose above the confused murmuring of some of the attendees.

“Sweet hour of prayer,” one woman said loudly, over and over. Occasionally, she’d throw in a “Jesus loves me this I know.” Another lady had trouble finding just the right place to sit. Rollin helped her to a seat, front and center. She seemed to be pleased with it. At first it was annoying, trying to hear the man up front over the interruptions, but God was there, waiting to interrupt my own annoyance with His grace.

Soon, communion emblems were offered. The pastor tenderly served each one individually at their seats. Some couldn’t take their own piece of bread, dropping it on the floor. The pastor decided maybe he should hand each one their piece. He did the same with the cup. As he went around, he suggested we sing the children’s song, “Jesus Loves Me.” Old, wobbly voices joined in song and my eyes filled with tears. To be in the company of such saints moved me. It didn’t matter that they were confused, unable to make sense of what to do with the bread and tiny cups they’d been handed.

“Sweet hour of prayer,” she said again, louder than was appropriate. But from the overflow of her heart, it came. Worship in its truest, purest form.

senior-man-praying-loneliness-xs1 Then the pastor went around to collect the empty cups. “Would you like to drink that?” he gently asked the first woman. No, she shook her head. But then she drank it, and placed the plastic cup on the tray he offered. The same happened with the old man in a wheelchair.

Now my own heart overflowed. To be in the presence of these saints was an honor I’ll not soon forget. I hope when my mind is foggy, the thing that rises to the top is worship and praise to the One who has loved and sustained me my whole life.

The old folks’ memories are gone, but God sees their hearts, past the place of confusion, past the inappropriateness of their behavior, to who they are because of Jesus. Jesus loves them, this they know. Loves them, died for them, will come for them. Even so, Lord Jesus, come.