Filled with Joy

Mom K had not seen her handsome six foot tall grandson for at least eight years. Matt had been away to school, and Grandmom had been in Florida. She refused to travel to us, or let us bring her to us, and Matt never had a stretch of time long enough to travel to Florida. I regret that we didn't find a way to get him to her, but we are miserable oafs, and we will let it go at that.

Anyway, Matt and wife Karissa were here just for the morning, en route back to law school. They followed Arvo and me into Mom K's room in the Home. Her arm was bandaged from her fall that morning and her trek to the ER. She was sitting a little forlornly in her recliner when we walked in. I had warned Matt that she goes in and out of lucidity.
"She may not know you," I told him, "She thinks Dad is her husband and she sometimes doesn't know who I am." Truth be told, I think she thinks I am the hussy that stole her husband from her.

As we walked in, Mom K looked up. Her sunken cheeks and hollow eyes suddenly filled with delight. She burst into the biggest smile I have ever seen on her face, and she held out her arms, trying to stand.
"It is my grandson!" she cried out, "My grandson! I cannot believe it...my grandson! You have brought me my grandson!" She beamed at me and looked back and forth between Matt and Karissa.
"And this is his new wife, Karissa," I said, "Isn't she beautiful?"
Mom K held out her crooked arms to the young couple and her eyes sparkled. She could not stop smiling as she held their hands. I wanted to weep for the beauty of it all, and the joy that was before this old woman who yearned for so little in life anymore.

The message from God on this one could not be any clearer. If you have not seen a loved one in a long time, you are missing out on one of God's greatest blessings. Go see them. Hold their hand. Smile at them and tell them how much you love them. You may not think they care. You may not think your presence could possibly make a difference. I promise you, you will not go away without the riches of the universe in your soul. And you will have left something even greater in theirs.

2 Timothy 1:3-4 (NIV)
I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. [4] Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy.






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