A Word from God’s Waiting Room

You’ve probably heard someone say, “I feel like I’m butting my head against a brick wall.”  Anyway, I’ve heard it many times, and the context of the conversation is almost always about encountering a difficulty or an insurmountable object, an obstacle.  I’ve bumped against several brick walls, in my life some rather thick, some quite high–all are tough.

I finished reading Randy Pausch’s book, THE LAST LECTURE, recently.  In it, the author has a chapter entitled, Romancing the Brick Wall.  The chapter title got my attention because I never thought about romancing an inanimate object.  Randy said “The brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough.”  Somehow in all my years of living did I ever perceive a brick wall as being there to stop me from wanting to achieve something badly enough.  To me, they were brick walls–plain and simple.  Passing a French Language proficiency exam or a statistic course represented a brick wall to me.  Yes, I did pass them, but I just viewed them as hurdles or mountains I’d have to climb for the prize I coveted.  But, this is not about me, its about brick walls.

Randy’s had encountered many brick walls and had gotten through them, but the most formidable one he faced was getting a date with his future wife.  Here was a thirty-seven year old bachelor who found the woman of his dreams with a brick wall between them.  I won’t tell you the whole story in case you haven’t read the book, but I do want to share with you the last sentences of that chapter, “Brick walls are there for a reason.  They give us a chance to show how badly we want something.” 

You know, when you recognize that brick walls you face are there for a reason, you can think about them differently.  Perhaps they are there to teach us something; to help us grow or to help us sharpen our persistence in accomplishing our goals.  Beginning today, I will try to look at the next brick wall I face as a positive–not a negative. 

By the way, I thought Randy’s book was inspirational; I recommend it.

Why 83?  For one thing, I just celebrated my 83rd birthday.  Boy, we had a great party.  In fact, the celebration went on and on.  Well, o.k., for three days of getting brought uptodate, reminescing of past times, of great food–just being together. . 

There are a lot of good things about reaching your 83rd.  First, you get visits from your children and your grandchildren and one great-grandchild.  It is always good to have family with you on your birthday.  Second, you get lots of cards, not only from family members, but from friends of many years.  Some of the cards allude to your age, your health, your good qualities; some are funny, one or two from good friends who know you would not be offended,  border on vulgarity. There was one I wouldn’t dare open and read while sitting in the church sanctuary–I’d have to burst out laughing.  Third, people don’t expect much from you.  Fourth, people are quick to forgive you for not remembering their names or similar facts.  Fifth, you glow when your Bible Study Class members sings the “Happy Birthday” song to you.  Sixth, you feel good about yourself when people tell you, “You don’t look to be 83.”   

At this milestone, you know you’ve outlived a whole host of people, so one becomes thankful to God for good genes, good health, a loving  wife, and good children and grandchildren who didn’t contribute to your thinning gray hair.  My difficulty in rising from a chair reminds me that 83 is good, but also that the climb won’t get easier.  So, a great big THANK YOU to you family members and friends for making No. 83 so special.  Of course, I’m looking forward to No. 84, maybe more.

We weren’t totally surprised when our bus pulled up to Building 2 to see the Peach Lady coming.  She sat across the isle on the bus during the ride to Belleville, IL and the peach orchard, and she sat across the table from us at lunch.  Virginia had a good grip on her cane; the Peach Lady didn’t attempt any moves on Lewis.  She was decked out in peachy attire and was friendly as usual. 

Apparently, this is a very good year for the Illinois peach crop.  At the orchard site, one could board a wagon (pulled by a tractor) to the orchard and could get out and fill his/her basket(s).  We might have tried that, but thoughts of climbing on ladders and walking over uneven ground led to a different option.  We opted to go the Country Store, where we purchased a small container of beautiful fruit.  At the Garden Center, we saw quite a wide variety of blooming flowers, vases, etc.  Later at lunch, Virginia had a burger and fries and I had a chicken sandwich.  The servings were so large, we had to ask for a box, so we’ll get two meals–not so uncommon today, as restaurants invariably serve more than either of us can consume at one setting. 

Because the Activity Director and J R (our driver) were following Mapquest directions, we saw more of East Saint Louis than we really cared for.  However, the scenery there made us feel good about where we lived. J R waved to his “cousins.”  Unfortunately, J R had too many back seat drivers giving him advice about what street to take and when to make a turn.  It took us about 1 1/2 hours to our destination but only about 50 minutes to return.  We were both tired upon arrival at God’s Waiting Room. Virginia’s sister, Pat, called for their monthly phone visit.  Afterwards, we propped our feet up; Virginia took a nap. 

We’re doing o.k.  Virginia seemed to enjoy the trip and the association with others.  We look forward to our visit with son and daughter-in-law,  Mark and Denise, this weekend.  We are anxious to show them our facilities here. God is good, He is good always.  Love to you and yours.

As in most communities, there are interesting people–people who make an impression on others.  We have interesting people in God’s Waiting Room.  Let me tell you about Margaret.

The first time we met, I was in the Laundry Room doing the weekly task.  Margaret and her son came in with a basket of clothes (just clothes, no soap–one is expected to provide that commodity).  As I had both washing machines operating, I explained the Sign-up procedures. As she had just moved here, I surmised that no one had included this in her orientation.  She then asked her son when she could do her laundry.  He then explained what she needed to do and entered her apartment number on the sign-up sheet.  Margaret smiled and asked her son when she could wash her clothes!    A week later, Margaret and a resident-friend (helper) came to wash just as I was finishing and about ready to leave.  I overheard Margaret ask if she could put her clothes in the same machine as her friend’s.  The friend told Margaret she would show her how to use the machines (the directions are clearly posted on each machine).  On Monday, I heard Margaret say her son would be bringing her laundry to her later that day.

Margaret always has a smile on her face.  Every Monday afternoon, she comes to The Scoop with her dollar bill folded many times for her Butter Pecan fix.  A week ago, she came for her treat and wanted to know if she had left her cane there.  That same afternoon, the Housekeeper and the Director of Activities came in to inquire about Margaret and her cane.  Of course, I could identify with that.  Virginia and I have, on several occasions, looked in every nook and cranny of this three room apartment for her cane.  Oh, by the way, someone found Margaret’s cane in one of our lounges and returned it to her. 

Last Wednesday, a pianist came to perform for us.  Margaret sat on the front row and with a smile that would light up the room.  As one might expect, the pianist played tunes mostly from the 40’s and 50’s.  When he played In the Mood, Night Train and Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy from Company B, Margaret was smiling, clapping, her feet was keeping time with the music and I thought to myself, she’s going to grab her cane, get up out of her chair and start dancing. any minute. 

Yes, we have interesting people here in God’s Waiting Room.  To some, I might be one of them but then, you’ll probably not have an opportunity to know what they might think.  We’d love to hear from you–especially those who lurk but don’t comment.    Our love to you.   In HIM.  L & V