I was able to find what I needed to take to Ms. Amy and made the trip to the hospital. God is so faithful. He knows how directionally challenged I am - and yet, He led me exactly where I needed to go. And, even though it was before visiting hours, They went ahead and let me go up so that I could see Ms. Amy and give her the things I brought up. She was doing ok, and as we know, it's usually only comfort care on weekends unless there is an emergency. She's scheduled for an MRI on Monday. I really need to try and stop by and see her some time today - or at least do a phone call.
Our neighbor caddy-corner from us and I were texting back and forth yesterday. She is likea busy body and is all over the place. She talks constantly, and yet, I love her to pieces. She's a hoot. She was asking about Ms. Amy, and I shared about my short visit with her. Cricket, my neighbor, shared she has started this past week visiting the neighbor next to her (we both live in a duplex). The neighbor next to her, and directly across the street from us... her 'spousal equivalent' passed away earlier this month. We did not know. So, with that information, I want to make perhaps a key lime pie and take over to her, and take her a prayer shawl as well. We rarely saw them as it is too hot here for our older generation. We would see him using his walker to get the mail, or she would sit in the garage in her walker seat. We always spoke, but we've never developed the friendship.
So I've been praying and asking God what is this in front of me. Is this a ministry He wants me to get involved in - to make a point of visiting the older people on our street so that I can be a friend to them when they need one? As Cricket and I text'd back and forth last night, I mentioned I was praying for Ms. Amy yesterday morning and asking God if this was a new ministry He wanted me to be involved in. She then told me about her neighbor, and Cricket called she and I 'Angels of Grace'. I like that title. I've often been called an 'angel of mercy', but never an 'angel of grace'. I love it. I don't know what God has planned for me to do, but my heart and mind is open to whatever it is.
I know it will cost me time, and effort, but I need to be more conscious about checking on the more elderly in our immediate community. Especially those women who have lost their spouse and live alone. I think I have fought so long and so hard about getting 'old', that I don't like to think of myself as being close to their age. Hubby makes me feel old so much of the time, and not blaming him as he is old and acts like it.... but I don't want to act old nor feel old. I fight it. I love our older generation and they are wonderful people. I need to remember that at some point, I will be just like them. Many are in their mid-upper 80's I think. I need to put aside my personal plans and reach out and make contact ever so often, to let them know they are still valued and loved, even though they are old.
Why do I want to do that? Because at some point I will have to admit that I am old and hopefully someone will value and love me. Many of these older women do not have children close by to check on them, like Ms. Amy, her three children all live out of state. The lady across the street is fortunate in that her daughter stops by EVERY evening for about an hour or so, on her way home from work. Weekends she is there a lot too. I know there is a single woman next door on the other side of us, she uses a walker, but still drives to work at the Cardinal stadium doing something about making phone calls. I have talked with her some, but not often.
I am fortunate that all three of my children live within driving distance; some longer than others. But, I feel that if I needed anything, I could call any of them and they would try to help me. I'm just stubborn in that I exhaust all my efforts before I will call on them. They deserve to live their own lives and not babysit their mother. But I feel I can if I needed to. Of course hubby is with me and can take care of things as well.
Is there someone in your life that you need to touch base with? Perhaps an 'old' friend you haven't talked with for awhile. Perhaps today would be a good time to give them a phone call and let them know that you are thinking about them. Is there a relative that is getting up in years (no, I'm not referring to myself) that would relish a phone call from you? Perhaps a sibling needs a call. A child needs contact from you. We all have people in our lives who need a touch.
You can become that 'Angel of Grace' to them. Perhaps it is just sitting down with your spouse and letting them share with you. They don't really want your comments. They don't really want your opinion. Sometimes all they want is someone to listen and to care about what is going on in their lives and how they feel. I know that when I get a text from one of my children that just says 'just wanted to touch base' or 'thinking about you'... it brings a smile.
You don't know how much they need that - and even you need that - until it's too late. I need to make some contacts this afternoon.... how about you?
Blessings!
