Helping Each Other

It really is a miracle. Mom K is talking, smiling, waving at fellow residents...I really thought she would be dead by now, and she has come back to life. I brought her to a lovely parlor in the Home, and we sat looking out over the garden, chatting. It was so nice to hear her speak in complete sentences, smile at my jokes, look at my phone pictures of her grandchildren. When one reaches the age of 88, every day is a blessing, and these are bonus days. I brought her to see the resident dog. The little schnauzer lifted up on his hind legs and placed his front paws on her knees. As she stroked his wiry face, he looked deep into her eyes.

We passed another dog, leading a woman who had multiple deformities in her legs.
She stopped and let us pet her dog.
"Is he a therapy dog?" I asked.
"No, he warns me when I am about to have a seizure," she said.
"How does he know?" I asked.
"I don't know. But he makes me go back to my room and lie down. He is always right."
This dog sniffed us but wasn't interested in us petting him. He had a job and he took it seriously.

I am amazed at how all of God's creations can help each other. We are all part of the pack, and the well being of each member contributes to the well being of the whole. I thought about what helps me sleep soundly at night. A clear conscience. When I am closer to doing all I should do, I sleep better. I guess that is why I have such deep dark circles under my eyes. This morning, when I awoke, I felt almost rested. The day spent at the nursing home, greeting and chatting with the other residents and the quiet happy time with Mom K in the pretty parlor did my soul good. I prayed that today I would use my time well, for God's glory, showing His goodness to all His creatures.

When I wheeled Mom K to the lunch table, two other slack faced residents were already sitting there. Neither glanced at us. They seemed oblivious to the world. I had nothing to lose.
"Hello!" I said cheerfully to the man, "What's for lunch?"
He startled into a huge smile and looked at me, then broke into laughter.
"This is Gert," I said, pointing to Mom K.
She waved. He nodded, still laughing.
Then I turned to the woman on the other side. She still stared blankly straight ahead. I lay my hand on her shoulder and said, "It is nice to see you. My name is Vicky and this is Gert."
She turned to me slowly as if awakening, and a smile crept across her face.
"Nice to meet you," she said.
"Nice to meet you too," said Mom K.

2 Samuel 9:3 (NIV)
The king asked, “Is there no one still alive from the house of Saul to whom I can show God’s kindness?” Ziba answered the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is lame in both feet.”

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