11
May 2002
Subject:
Goodbye Miss Marie
Dear
Ones,
Saturdays are always special around our house and today is no exception even as we head out the door to attend a funeral. This morning at 10 AM, we say our final goodbye to Miss Marie, the granddame of our community and a very special lady to all who know her.
Miss Marie died Wednesday evening at 7 PM in the local nursing home. She was 98 1/2 years old. She was our neighbor and had no relatives living within our state. Because of this, Leavon and I have been "looking after" her for the past five years.... four of which she has been confined to her bed in the nursing home.
These past four years of visiting Miss Marie 3-4 times a week translates to more than 600 trips to the nursing home. These visits have been a blessing to us. We have gotten much more out of the visits than we have given in return. We have had the opportunity to learn more about our neighbor than most anyone could ever hope for. In some cases, I expect that we heard some of her stories repeated at least a hundred times over, but then again, that's why we were there.
While visiting Miss Marie, we, also, met many other fine folks in the nursing home.... patients and staff alike.... and forged some real friendships with them. It's one of the few places one can go and be greeted with unequalled enthusiasm by everyone there. A spoken word, a pat on the hand, a hello, a hug.... all take on new meaning in the nursing home, especially to those starved for attention or affection.
When we dropped by the nursing home on Thursday morning to clear out Miss Marie's "belongings", everyone came forth to tell us goodbye. I even got two hugs from my harmonica-playing "podner", Herbie, who twice whispered, "I love you" in my ear. It was then that I realized we would be saying goodbye to Miss Marie only and that our visits to the nursing home would continue for the foreseeable future.
Goodbye, Miss Marie, and thank you for helping us find this special way to serve our Maker by serving our fellowman.
Blessings, my friend, to you and yours and may all your Saturdays be special.
Don