Today.
Thirteen of us were
Gathered in his
Living room to remember
Hildah,
To let him know we care
And are there for him
As he learns to live alone.
We asked him about his
Spouse of 74 years.
"How did your marriage
Last so long?"
"I did everything she said,"
He responded.
We laughed together.
We sang together too,
Her favorite hymns:
"The Old Rugged Cross".
"In The Garden".
"Amazing Grace", and
More.
I said music helps
Like nothing else does.
I know.
He was so grateful
We were there.
He said he lived
In the best neighborhood
There ever was.
Gloria spoke up,
"I'll bring you shrimp."
(He told us it was his
Favorite food.)
Others said,
"We'll be back."
We all held hands,
Prayed,
And had a snack.
Jeb's granddaughter had
Joined us too.
She shared the bulletin
From her church where she
Had asked for prayer:
Help Grandpa to "adjust to
Life" without Grandma.
And she was in tears as she
Compared her
Words to the notice on our
Condo bulletin board.
"We have learned that Jeb's
Wife has died.
Our prayers are with him
As he adjusts to life
Without her."
"They're the same words,"
She said, "The very same
Words. I couldn't have
Planned it."
But God did,
And as I looked around the
Room at the willing group
Who would help him adjust,
I declared,
"Is there anything
More wonderful than
Being an answer to prayer?"