Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas world! I love quiet Christmas mornings when no one else is awake. It's just me and the dog, quietly enjoying the morning sky awakening. There's a chill in the air until the heat kicks in. I savor my coffee as I reflect upon this day. . .

Actually, I have had my best Christmas celebration yesterday on the eve of this very special day. For several years now, I have had a group of older ladies that I have coined "My Faithful Women." I think I started this especially in honor of my Mom who was so faithful to her husband and family, but especially to her Lord. Mom was one who in spite of all odds believed and hoped in One greater than any other. She remained faithful despite her own physical handicaps of hearing loss and chronic pain from osteoporosis fractures. She never questioned or at least didn't seem to ever ask, "why me?" But instead, she loved you always, and you knew it beyond any doubt; and she prayed for you constantly, and you knew it beyond any doubt. . .

So I prepared my plates of homemade breads and candy, tucking in a few flavorful teas as well. Each plate was sealed with plastic wrap and given a sparkling silver twist. I loaded the goods in my car, turned on the Christmas tunes, and began my travel to their various homes. It was a good day, for each lady was home. Barbara greeted me before the door was opened, as I heard her voice telling me "she's coming!" She seemed a bit shorter to me and was walking with a cane, but her smile was full of welcoming joy. We sat for a few minutes on her couch to catch up on news, mainly that she was actually looking forward to a new hip replacement in the coming weeks. We closed with a hug and her encouraging words, as well as her continual prayers for my family. I drove away realizing the treasure I had in these souls, and yet very mindful of life and the passage of time. . .

My next stop took me to my dear Maureen who is my number one fan. She's bent over too and walks with her walker, but you would never know her pain. She's always upbeat, encouraging, and full of jokes and fun. Her daughter was out in the front yard, planting another rose. It was fun to sneak up upon her as I pulled into their drive. Once again, hugs and love were exchanged. There is probably no one more with compassion than Maureen, especially for those who are down and out and under-served. You can't help being around her and not have any of her selfless compassion rub off onto you. It just doesn't get better than this!

Driving on, I came to the cute little house of Happi. A note was pasted to the doorbell. "Don't leave, I am home!" So I pushed on the bell, unsure if I could really hear its ring. I waited, but no Happi. I tried again, this time pushing a little harder, and there she was at the door, with her wide grin and warm hug, telling me, "come in, darling." She sat down on her walker and I nudged close by in her blue soft chair. She caught me up on her holiday news, and despite not seeing well or hearing well, and dealing with a chronic infection in her knee replacement that will eventually kill her, she was much more concerned about me and my family. She was earnest as she wanted to know our needs, earnest because she prays for each of us. She encouraged me as I let her know my concerns. I came to give, but I left again feeling I was given so much more. . .

The next stop was harder, for I was going to my Mom Ruth's home. It has been difficult in a heartbreaking way to see these past few weeks the significant decline in her mind and her thoughts. She has had to be moved into assisted living due to her repeated falls. She has tried to maintain such a fierce "all is fine," that she has convinced herself everyone else just must be wrong. She opened the door and offered her love with her arms. She still sees me as her daughter, in fact "the" daughter, even though she never had children or daughters of her own. I listened again as she tried to verbalize her dislike and uncertainty with her recent move. She had lost things, misplaced a check, and was feeling so cramped in this spot. Yet, she reminded me that she found it was much easier to pray for my son, than even herself and that she would continue to only do that. Dear Mom Ruth, how I love her, and yet she is slipping away. Her favorite word is joy, and in these perilous days for her, that word seems lost to her as well. Whatever I can do to bring her peace and calm, that is what I'll do. . .

I ended up right where I started. Grace had moved into assisted living this past year, and I had not been able to find the exact location of her place. I drove up and down the streets, but found out I was looking on the wrong side of town. Now I had finally found her. It was a modest place, it was white and warm inside. I was told that her room was on the second floor just to the right of the elevator. The cleaning lady was leaving her room as I heard Grace's kindly voice. She came right over from her chair and gave me such a great big hug. She had a beautiful view of the mountains. She told me how each morning she praised God for the glorious creation he was making before her very eyes. As we sat and talked, catching up with each other and our plans, she reminded me that nothing that is happening now is of surprise to God. He has known our days, the past, the present, and the future. All we need to do is trust Him, count upon His word, and just believe. I had heard those words before, especially from her husband who has already reached his heavenly goal. Bob and Grace will always hold a special place in our hearts, for their dear love use to welcome me and family every week, encouraging us in our walk with God. The one thing they shared so freely with us was their love, and once I again, I got that love from Grace. . .

I walked away with tears in my eyes, thanking the Lord for giving me the opportunity one more time, to give a bit of time to these precious women in my life. One day too, I suppose I will be reduced to having just one room, probably will have to use a walker, and will no doubt be deaf and dim with sight. I'm sure there are times that each of them wonder, why am I still here, especially with all of my infirmities? But if they're here just for me, just for me to be encouraged in my walk of faith, when the stressors of life seem overwhelming, and I'm tempted to doubt if God is real, then that is enough. That is enough to bring hope and peace, even when our life seems old. After all, isn't that what Christmas is really about?

Christmas is that point in history when God came, put on human life, and said "I'll bear it all for you. I'll bear your infirmities, your pain, your mindless thoughts, and through it all I'll bring you eternal life, hope, and joy." Merry Christmas world!