A Word from God’s Waiting Room

The other day Virginia and I were listening to some 50’s music (yeah, we had music in those days).  One of the songs  made popular by Kitty Kallen was:  Little Things Mean a Lot.  For some unknown reason, the song seemed to have stuck in our minds.   You know, its the little things in life that do mean a lot.  Marcus Aurelius once said: Very little is needed to make a happy life.

Today, we boarded the bus to go to Mid-Rivers Mall for some shopping.  Our ‘want list’ wasn’t long; Virginia couldn’t think of a thing she wanted–well maybe, some little something.  We bought some greeting cards and I found a light jacket on sale which I bought.  We then headed for the food court.  Choices and more choices–where do we have some lunch? 

For several years in Macomb, we had little lunch dates–sometimes at a Subway, McDonalds, DQ, Taco Bell or the Red Ox.  We thought of those dates when making this big decision of where to eat.  Then it dawned on us we haven’t been to a Taco Bell since moving to Parkside, so we parked.  That brought back many pleasant memories.  It was a little thing but it meant a lot.  Well, before leaving you, I remember reading somewhere that little things affect little minds!  Perhaps, that says something about these 80+ seniors!

God is good (that’s a big thing), we’re doing well and we send our love–that, too, is a big thing.  By the way, a little note, comment, email, phone visit or personal visit means a lot to us.    Love to all.  L & V 

As with many of you, I receive ”Forwards” about every day.  Sometimes, several; sometimes, more than I care for.  Today, however, was different. I received one in which the size of the planets were compared.  It got me to thinking.

Most of us likely think the earth is a huge planet, and in comparison to some, it is.  But, compared to others it is quite small.  According to this Forward, Antares is the largest in size and is more than 1,000 light years away.  When Antares and  the earth are compared, the earth is an invisible pin point, not even the size of a pixel.  You probably knew that already, but for me it was a WOW moment.   Just how big am I? 

Next is a bit of diversion but I’ll get back to the point in a moment.  Recently, we celebrated our 60th wedding anniversary–a milestone unattained by most couples.  Also, a picture of me (a rather silly one of my wearing a crown, but nevertheless, a reasonably good pic) appeared in our Parkside monthly newsletter.  A day or so later, an article, “Whatever Happened to:  (me), appeared in a different newsletter.  I could have gotten a big head and began thinking about how important I was–how big I was.

When compared to those large planets, I’m not big at all.  Does not  Scripture tell us that the very hairs of our head are numbered?  Also, that God does not forget about the sparrows?  No, I’m not very big at all, I’ll gladly admit it.  Now here is a question for you:   How big are you?

Life is good here in God’s Waiting Room.  God is good.  Virginia and I are doing o.k., well, and happy!  Love to all.  We do love comments, cards, letters, emails and an occasional Forward!  L  &  V 

For those who have asked, how are the cats? You never write about them and we want to know.  Well, this is for you.  It’s not about us, it’s about the cats.

Our cats never liked to take joy rides with us in the car.  They always assumed a ride was another trip to the vet’s office.  But, on our way to Saint Charles, they were both real troopers, slept most of the way, didn’t cry, only a few murmurs and all without any Diazepam. 

Upon our arrival here in God’s Waiting Room, we showed them the litter box and the food and assured them that this was our new home and that we would be with them, they settled right in.  Both have access to peer outside and watch an occasional squirrel or a few birds.

They’ve made other adjustments as well.  In Macomb they might sleep on one bed in one room, or in beds in separate rooms or even on the living room furniture.  We began life here with twin beds, we thought they would about fill all the room we would have.  Our plans were changed, a little larger apartment opened up just prior to our move, so we took it.  Now if you have ever slept in a twin bed–one that you weren’t accustomed to and a cat decided to sleep on your bed, then you know some of our frustrations.  Because Helena is a bit cold natured, she might come to one of our beds, get us next to the pillow, purr rather loudly and then began pawing as if to say, please let me under your cover next to your warm body.  We did, how in the world could you turn such a plea down. 

Another adjustment occurred recently.  Larry and Linda encouraged us to sell them our twin beds and get ourselves a king.  We concurred and as I’m sure no surprise to you, Virginia sleeps on one side, me on the other and the cats?  Yep, right in the middle. 

Before closing, I must tell you one of Helena’s recent new habits.  While sitting in my recliner, Helena gets up and lays on my chest for some chin rubs and loving pats.  After she has been satisfied with that, she then begins to pay between my right side and the arm of the chair as if to say, you’ve got this chair nice and warm, now you would please get up and let me have it.  She gets it.  After all, here in God’s Waiting Room, we like to spoil our loved ones.  They give us so much company, we couldn’t get along with them. 

We’re fine, God is good.  Love to all.   L & V

The odds are getting better!  Because of our experience of folding, stuffing and sealing at the Youth for Christ house in Macomb, we volunteered to do the same here at Parkside.  You see, it is having an Open House on April 6.  Now then, would you believe there were twenty women (including the Pink Lady) and me.  Yeah, twenty to one, but you know who was sitting beside me?  You got it, it was my sweet babboo, Virginia.  I suppose the few other guys that live here must have gone fishing or golfing.  Perhaps they thought folding, stuffing and sealing was a woman’s job, I don’t know.

There were benefits indeed:  1) an opportunity to meet and become better acquainted with other Parkside members, 2) an opportunity to get out of the apartment for a while and make a contribution, 3) Krispy Kreme donuts–I chose the non-transfat kind! and 4) plenty of pink lemonaid.  Can you beat that? 

Life in God’s Waiting Room is pleasant; we are well and we send you our love.  And we are anxious to see you again soon.

We’re looking forward to next week’s visits with Sherrill and Sara, Larry, Linda and Mike, and Andrew,  Karen and Khai.  And if Deborah feels comfortable in leaving her new Elk Hound puppy alone, hopefully she, Steve and Jeff will make it here also.  This cloud of cabin fever should dissipate rather quickly, and its about time.  Family get-to-gethers can contribute to hopeful tomorrows.

Karen is busy thinking about places to go and things to do while S & S are here.  Of course, all of what she has planned will take place after breakfast at the Cracker Barrel on Tuesday.  Sherrill also has indicated a desire to attend our monthly Birthday Party here at Parkside.  Sorry, Sherrill, there will be neither an awarding of a crown or dancing to boogie-woogie music this time.  Well, at least, I’m not aware of any such plans.  But we’ll have a good time and have some fun. 

Prayer Request:  Ben is applying for a tenure-track position at Wheaton College.  We’re praying that his resume’ will warrant an invitation for an interview, and utimately, a place to hang his hat next year.  And while we are on our knees, let’s also remember Sara who will undergo Carpel Tunnel surgery later this month. 

Virginia had two doctor appointment already this week.  Test results are not yet available.  Both the GP and Eye doctor likes her and wants to see her again in four weeks. 

Live good in God’s Waiting Room, we’re doing o.k. and sleeping much better with this king mattress.  Love to all from someone who loves you. 

By the time the Parkside Bus left the ‘compound’ this morning, it contained eleven women, the bus driver and me.  Today’s trip was scheduled for a shopping trip to a Consignment Shop in O’Fallon.  However, before we left Randolph street, Debbie, our Activity Director announced that we would be stopping at the Dollar Tree store.  That please a few; it was not our preference.  Virginia and I were not aloud to cast a nay vote.  Come to find out Debbie wanted to complete her shopping for Easter decorations.  (There is a bunny hunt scheduled here at Parkside in a few days.)

What a pleasure it was  to be tapped on the shoulder at the Consignment Shop by Karen and Khai.  Karen spotted a cute shirt and coordinated top for Virginia.  But the fun was in the area for children and toddlers.  As Karen and Virginia looked at clothing, Khai and I found a musical toy (four notes only) that he liked. As you can imagine, old Gpa wouldn’t think of leaving the store without it being in Khai’s take-home bag.  Not to be outdone, Gma couldn’t resist purchasing a pant-shirt outfit for the little man.  Made us both real happy.

Equally pleasurable were the oohs and aws received from the other ten Parkside members who got to meet Khai and comment about what a sweet little boy, and how blessed we were.  I think I still have all the buttons on my shirt but my chest did expand a bit.

When taking a Parkside trip, the common expectation is to have lunch before returning.  The vegetable soup and banana bread at Bob Evans were quite good and satisfying.  We returned in time for Virginia to do the laundry and Lewis to make his 2-5 duty at the Scoop.

Life in God’s waiting room is good.  We’ll keep you posted; you keep those cards and phone calls coming our way.  Love to all

Because of the snow this week, we didn’t get to take a trip, but Andrew, Karen and Khai made up for it.  About noon on Friday, the three of them picked us up for lunch at Joes’ Crab Shack.  The soup was excellent; as usual, the entree was good but more than we could eat.  Following lunch, we went shopping for a king size mattress–our first.  We  now counting on getting in some good sleeping. 

 We remembered to set our clocks forward last night, so we made it to church on time.  We received several congrats in our Bible Study class but the surprise came later in worship service.  After entering the sanctuary, the pastor came up to us (of course we all dressed up and both wearing yellow roses on our lapels), congratulated us and asked us to come sit on the front row.   While we didn’t know what he had in mind, we were in hopes that he wouldn’t expect us to recite our wedding vows.  Surely, he’d realize people in their eighties don’t remember things that happend 60 years ago.  He didn’t, thank goodness.  After the first song, he announced that the church had a practice of honoring those couples celebrating their 40th, 50th, 60th and 70th wedding anniversaries and we was pleased to present the two of us.  After the applause died down a bit, he shook my hand and gave Virginia a kiss and a beautiful bouquet of 6 red roses and said:  “There are six roses, one for each decade of your marriage and also that you will be with us six more years!”  How about that? 

We had invited Andrew, Karen, Khai to have lunch with us here at Parkside.   Ken and Gerry Barter, who have been faithful in providing us with transportation to worship services also had lunch with us.  Karen brought her camera and took some pictures.  When I learn to add pictures to a blog, I’ll post some. 

We think Khai will be walking in the footsteps of his father.  He likes to push buttons and turn knobs on the stero equipment–and that’s at 16.5 months.  I think he has good future in IT–perhaps, he, too, will work at Boeing in a few years. 

The weekend is about gone, and so has my ability to come up with something creative.  God is good.  We love you and hope to be with you soon.  In HIM. 

As you likely know, we received about 7.5 inches of snow earlier this week.  As a kid in east central Oklahoma, I enjoyed the snow infrequently because we didn’t have a great deal of it.  Once in a while, we’d get enough to go out for some fun times of sledding, or snowball fights.  In later years, I began to have mixed feelings.  Virignia and I enjoyed watching big fluffly snow flakes piling up on tree limbs or carefully draping the shrubs with the full realization that after it stopped falling, it would be time to don the heavy boots, coveralls, hats, gloves and grabbing a snow shovel.  An inch or so wasn’t bad to deal with, but more than that became a chore, spell that hard work.  But here in God’s waiting room, we look out the windows and say “Isn’t the snow beautiful,” or how thoughtful of God to send more moisture for the earth.  So now, we enjoy the snow again.  God is good.  We’re o.k. Love to all.