Touched By a Life

Growing up, I was never comfortable around elderly people.  Even as a grown up, I've never really been comfortable around elderly people.  Until a couple of years ago, my aunt worked at a nursing home.  I would stop by to see her there when I was in town, but she knew I was afraid of the little old people.

In the last couple of years, that has started to change.  Probably because I am getting older and none of them seem as old.  Perhaps I have realized what a wealth of information they are.  Hearing their life experiences first hand can't be replaced by reading it in a book. 

There are two ladies at my church.  They are 82 year old twins.  Their names are Elspeth and Beverly.  We know them as Beth and Bebe.  It is one of the cutest sights to see them come in dressed in matching outfits.  My church holds WOW (Weekly on Wednesday) every Wednesday night during the school year.  This year I am not working with the kids and decided to take a class on Wednesday nights.  The class I am attending didn't start until after Labor Day so I had several weeks to look elsewhere. 

Beth and Bebe started a knitting group.  I can't knit or crochet.  My grandmother tried to teach me and I can still see her looking at my chain which was backwards and asking, "How did you do that?"  All of the items they make are donated to hospitals or others in need.  They make little iv covers for babies and blankets for those babies who don't make it amongst other items.  They are very passionate about their ministry.  The first Wednesday night I sat with them, I left feeling so happy just having sat and listened to them talk.  One had a career in radio and the other a career in television.  They have met Perry Como and the Beatles.  They asked me where I grew up and they both looked so surprised when I said, "Indiana" because that is where they grew up.

As we progressed through Wednesday nights, I was able to assist them to the car or help them into the church.  The Wednesday night before last, Bebe was in line for her dinner.  One of the ladies uses a walker and the other a cane.  I told her I would carry her plate.  We stopped at the station for salad and she leaned over and whispered, "Get the firm lettuce because I can't chew well."  I smiled and obeyed.

The following Wednesday one of the ladies from church poked her head into the class I am taking and asked us to pray for Bebe and Beth because Bebe had been taken to the hospital.  The next morning our church family was very saddened to hear that Bebe had passed away that night. 

When I found out, my heart ached.  First, because I was afraid of what that would do to Beth.  Beth lost her husband and her only daughter.  Beth and Bebe told me they were the only family each other had left.  Second, I was a bit selfish in my thinking because I was just getting to know her and loved her. 

The funeral was yesterday.  I really wanted to go, but wasn't sure if I should since I had just met them.  Several of the ladies from the church were meeting at the church and riding together.  I joined them.  I was so glad I went. 

There was a short one hour visitation time followed by graveside services at the cemetery behind the funeral home.  Just before time to progress to the cemetery, visitors were asked to stand in a circle for prayer.  Beth had been sitting to receive guests.  When she stood her mouth literally dropped open in surprise at the number of people in the circle. 

I spoke to her when I arrived at the funeral home and told her how sorry I was.  She said she was glad Bebe didn't suffer and was now in a better place.

What the Lord spoke to my hearts was that we should all be living our lives and touching people in such a way that after just after meeting us we have managed to bless their lives in some way.

I will be taking lunch to Beth this Friday.  My selfish thought...I can't wait to sit and listen to her tell her stories and learn from her.