Wreathes of Kindness

Mom K lives in a great Assisted Living home. Last night they had a Festival of Wreathes, that benefited Alzheimer's organizations, and was open to anyone. The residents, staff, and contributors made gorgeous wreathes which decked the entire bottom floor of Elmcroft. They had a spread of hors d'oeuvres including big fat shrimp, artichoke dip, finger size quiche pastry, and several varieties of wine and eggnog (spiked and non spiked). We hurried past this feast to go get Mom K out of her room. She was on her bed asleep.
"Get up!" we said, "We're going to a party!"
We dashed a brush through her hair, and hurried back to the shrimp.

I bid on several wreathes, but I think I was outbid on them all. However, I more than made the evening worthwhile, feasting on cabernet and shrimp. We bought a few handmade xmas cards from one of my favorite veterans who resides there. At one point, while I was looking at wreathes, one resident reached her hand out to me and with a huge smile said, "Just stay as sweet as you are."
I didn't know her, and she really had no basis to proclaim me sweet now or ever. However, I took her hand and told her I would try.

And I suppose I will have no trouble staying as sweet as I am...it is trying to be SWEETER that gives the rub.

All in all it was really a delightful evening, and once again, I was terribly impressed by this Home and how much a vibrant and loving community they have created for their residents. I know those residents pay money to stay in that wonderful place, but the management and caregivers don't act as though it is about the money. They seem to honestly believe and behave as though the residents are their adopted family, and everyone there is co-heir to the bounty of kindness and love.

My Bible reading for the day was about God sending Jesus to change our relationship to Him and to sin forevermore. With Jesus and the Spirit of God now released into our hearts, we were no longer bound by sin. We were now adopted into the family of God, and co-heirs of His kingdom. I think even more than a feast of shrimp and eggnog awaits me there, surrounded by Family in my eternal Home.

Galatians 4:4-7 (NIV)
But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, [5] to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. [6] Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba , Father.” [7] So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.



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