INSPIRASUNS

Last night I was pondering the content for this morning’s little blog, while at my desk working on detailed items for our event next week. I went over to a private FB group we have for our conference attendees, and of course, had to do this through my main FB menu, so my newsfeed popped up. A post immediately stopped me. This was a post within a private group I’m in, and was a picture of a woman probably my age, sitting on a chair at the kitchen table. She was sharing this chair with her elderly mother, and the woman was kissing her mother on the forehead. The post simply said, “Looking for babysitter help for mom”.

I looked at this photo for several minutes wondering how I could help this woman. You see, I have a very soft spot in my heart for our seniors. These individuals have been the backbone of our nation. They’ve lived through the great depression, world wars, civil rights movements and so much more. They’ve never asked for anything and most times are so prideful they hesitate to accept when help is given. They don’t want handouts. They take care of their own and they have a fierce love of their family and this country. And, they have memories. Memories of how this country was, how everyone helped one another, how we rolled up our sleeves and went to work when our land was threatened. We stood arm in arm to do what needed to be done to protect our families, our neighbors, and our great country.

There were several parishioners I would visit regularly back home. They were older, one incredible lady named Jill, served in the Battle of the Bulge with her twin brother. Jill was in the Red Cross and she was on duty the day her brother was killed just 25 miles from where she was. Then there was my sweet friend Ed. He too served in the military from Iceland to Korea, and so many points in between. I loved visiting these two and listening to their stories. There was such history in those conversations. I was in awe of everything they had done. To them, it was simply what you did for your country.

When I look at the last several years and how our senior loved ones were treated, my heart hurts. Many died alone in nursing homes or hospitals. They were unable to see family and friends. They didn’t understand what was happening. They deserved and do deserve better. This group of amazing people is some of the strongest people I’ve had the pleasure of knowing and we owe them so much more.

So, today I ask that you say a prayer for our seniors. And, maybe consider volunteering to help “babysit mom”. Spend time at our senior living facilities, help a neighbor with their parents, or maybe you have a neighbor who lives alone and needs a little assistance. Don’t let our seniors be alone, they wouldn’t do that to us if they were able.

Father, I thank you for the gift of those who have forged the path before us. Thank you for the commitment and dedication of our seniors who have given their lives for this nation and its people. Thank you to those who are always willing to give. Please help us your children to not forget them, but rather to lift them in praise for all they have done.

1 Peter 5:5
Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Jill at her 100th Birthday Party and Ed when he was 94. Two amazing children of God.