I noticed the daffodils were almost Ready to burst into bloom, but not Quite. I remember when my neighbor Planted the bulbs in front of her Condo years ago. Each season they multiplied. But my neighbor won't be here to See them this spring in all their Glory. Just this week she moved away. Her condo is empty. My heart is empty too. For 20 plus years Deanna wasn't Just a neighbor but a precious friend. She knew and loved Jack. She grieved with me when he was Gone. We biked together. We traveled together. We lived life together. I miss her. Since the new occupants haven't yet Arrived, I slipped over to her Flower bed with a scissors and Snipped off a handful of the Buds. I placed them in a vase of hot Water, and by the next day they Had all opened up. I know Deanna would be glad to Know I'm enjoying her flowers. And I'm sure the new neighbors Wouldn't mind that I "borrowed" a Few. Deanna's daffodils are a gift that She left behind for all of us. |
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My plane ticket was purchased and
My suitcase was packed. I was psyched up to fly for the First time in years. And then, unexpectedly, my trip Was canceled. I was disappointed but not in Despair. How often had I said it? "We must hold our plans loosely." My sweet neighbor was aware of My scrapped agenda. "I'm going to Mt. Vernon in the Morning. Would you like to join me?" Yes! We explored the cozy shops and Chatted with the friendly proprietors. I bought an old book at an antique Store. We stopped for lunch at a Cafe near the town square. As we nibbled our salads I told my Friend, "God knew I needed this Perk today. Thanks for including me." Before we left, we ordered coffees to Go. DiAnne treated me to mine. Mt. Vernon certainly isn't California. But it is a charming Ohio town, even On a cold January day. As we sipped our hot drinks and Drove the miles back home, I Thanked God for my caring friend Who had invited me along. Six old friends were
Seated around my table, the Eldest, 95, and I was the Youngest at 78. We'd shared a mixture of joy and Sorrow over our 40 plus years together, And now we shared memories, Laughter and a pot of tasty chili. These dear sisters who were Surrounding me were my faithful Forever friends, my encouragers. They had enriched my life. I treasured them. I've learned that old friends are Gold friends. It's a tradition in New Guinea where my
Friends live. When a loved one dies, the family Sets up temporary shelters for People to join them in their grief. The guests come to sit, eat and Even sleep with the sorrowing ones. The period of mourning is called "House Cry." Recently Jerry and Cindy walked to The village of their friend whose Wife had died. They brought food, financial gifts, Encouragement and hope. We could learn from these dear Folks. Simply being there for those who are Brokenhearted, supporting them in Their time of need, crying with them in Their house are meaningful ways to Express compassion. Except for building temporary Shelters for mourners, the tradition is One we would do well to emulate. The lady who was stocking the shelves at
Walmart was from Vietnam. Since we had become friends I gave Her a hug. I also recognized the man who was Trying to talk to her. He lived in my neighborhood and Was from Mexico. The three of us tried to Communicate with little success. My few Spanish words to Jose were, "No hablo espanol," and I knew not a Word of Vietnamese. But we laughed at our attempt to be Understood, so much so that we Were blocking the aisle. Finally I said, "Smiles are the same in Every language," which resulted in More glorious grins of friendship. We had connected. When there are no words, a smile will Suffice. Since my elderly friend is vision
Impaired, I take her with me to The store each week. Our trip yesterday seemed Routine until we got to the Check-out. "I'm dizzy," she said and was About to collapse. I alerted the store staff, they Called 911, and while we Waited we lowered the frail Woman to the floor, laying her Flat out on the hard dirty surface. She was frightened and thought She was dying. I feared the same. I knelt down beside her and began to Pray loudly since she is hard of Hearing. A number of spectators looked on as I cried out to our Father to watch over My friend. And just before the faithful first Responders placed her on the Gurney, I held my sweet sister's Furrowed face in my hands, locked My eyes with hers and said, "Don't be Afraid. You're not alone. Jesus is With you." "Okay," she managed to moan. My friend was whisked off to the Hospital and I'm still waiting for an Update. I don't know her condition, but of this I'm sure. She's in our loving Father's hands in Her hospital room. And not for a second will she be Alone. Rose didn't feel up to going to the
Wedding. Her heart still grieved for her husband. But since she was the bride's great Aunt, she made the effort to attend. Sandra didn't feel up to going to the Wedding. Her heart still grieved for her husband. But since she was the groom's great Aunt, she made the effort to attend. At the reception, which was Outside beneath a large tent, Rose spotted her friend Sandra, and Sandra spotted Rose. They greeted each other with a hug and Asked, "What are YOU doing here?" Their mood changed instantly. They posed for a picture with the Newlyweds. Their smiles were genuine. The aunts were convinced that their "Chance" meeting had actually been Lovingly planned. God knew the boost would help them Get through a very hard day. When your birthday falls on
Bible study day, a sweet sister Brings cupcakes to celebrate. And when she urges you to Take a few of the treats home, You stop by the senior facility and Share two of them with dear Friends. You give the last cupcake to your Almost blind neighbor, and you Find that passing your birthday Blessings around multiplies yours. And on the day after your birthday, You say "Thank you" a hundred Times over to your Facebook Friends who made your day extra Special. When I asked the tall stately lady,
"How are you?" her answer surprised me. "Blessed and thankful." I learned that the grateful greeting was Jeanne's normal response, and sometimes She added, "And highly favored." Her thankful spirit was endearing and Contagious. I found myself copying her. It wasn't that Jeanne had no trials. The tribulations she endured are too Numerous to mention. But she had Jesus. It was later in life that she trusted in Him, and she could never get over The joy. Several years ago, Jeanne told her Friends, "I sense that I will die soon." But she was wrong. God allowed us to have a few more Years with our sweet sister. I just learned that she is indeed home. Wow! It's joy overload for her. And how blessed and thankful and Highly favored we've been to have Jeanne for an example and a forever and Forever friend. |
Dorothy Kalb Hsu Seitzinger
Writing poetry has helped me process and express my sorrows and joys, my concerns and blessings. "Life is hard, but God is good!" Archives
December 2020
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