Ties that bind..

 I had a beautiful day yesterday.  I spent it with people that I barely know and people I have known for years.  We are a group of people with varied interests, talents, theologies, and economic statuses.  We have a tie that binds us.  That tie is our struggle to serve God the best way we can.  We help each other in that struggle.


There is a man in this group who has a servant's heart of gold.  Ed serves his church, his family, his friends, and rarely indicates that his own needs are of much concern.  He is always looking for someone to help.  His wife, who was not with us, is the same way.  They are a family of loving, caring, serving people.  I have known them for years, and I love them dearly, and admire them greatly.  There is a tie that binds us.


There was a blind woman with us.  She lives in government housing.  I do not think she is well educated.   Society would say she hasn't much to offer.   Society would be wrong.  Darlene has the most joyful spirit.  She never complains.  She is friendly, and speaks to everyone.  She rarely forgets a voice.  It is a pleasure to know her.  There is a tie that binds us.


And, then there is the precious one, who as we toured Oaklands Mansion, described each little detail to Darlene so she did not feel apart.  I haven't known Chris for long, but she has the unique gift of being able to relate to young marrieds, elderly widowed, and everyone in between.  She is not afraid to work.  In the short time I have known her, I have grown to love her.  There is a tie that binds us.


The two Phillips were there.  They live in the same high rise as Darlene.  They both use walkers.  They are new, or newly returned, to their faith.  They have grateful joyful hearts.  "God bless you," comes quickly to their lips.  Their countenances glow with love.  We are family.  There is a tie that binds us. 

My mom was there, but I'm saving a blog just for her in a couple of weeks.  Her birthday is coming up.  What a blessed day it was for me when Carol and Dennis came to Otter Creek.  Talk about someone who is willing to work, and she does it with a big smile on her face ~ every time.  We love to antique.  We love to have lunch together.  I love times I get to spend with her.  There is a tie that binds us.

As I told her yesterday, Betty is not a ray of sunshine, she is a bolt of sunlight.  She just spreads joy and humor everywhere she goes.  She is eager to participate and help.  She adores her children and grandchildren.  I suspect she is the kind of grandmother every child would love to have.  Whenever I mention to her daughter how much I enjoy Betty, Elisabeth always replies, "I know.  She's great.  I am blessed to have her."  We are all blessed.  There is a tie that binds us.

How can one person be your mentor and your peer?  That is what Gail is to me.  She has advised (only when asked) and helped me through the years.  She probably is not really even aware of her value to me.  She was the one who helped me see the humor when my son, God love his sweet soul, decided that his elementary school librarian needed to become aware of his displeasure with her.  Gail was the principal at the school.  He decided, quite cleverly according to her, to stealthily rearrange the books in the library.  I might not have appreciated his creativity had she not opened my eyes.  Gail is the one who most makes me feel that parenting decisions (or non-decisions) we have made might be somewhat admirable.  We have a tie that binds us.

Fletcher.  How can I describe Fletcher?  I know so many funny stories about him.  He seems to never get riled about anything.  I have never witnessed him angry or upset.  He gets Mr. Lincoln's sense of humor.  Not everyone does.   Years ago, some friends had an adult scavenger hunt.  I cannot even describe the work and brilliance that went into that party.  It could never be reproduced.  One item to be gotten was a sucker from a Shoney's restaurant.   The song at A-8 (whatever) on the jukebox at Boardwalk Cafe across the street was another item needed.  Fletcher's car dropped him off at Shoney's while they drove across the street to the Boardwalk.  The story goes, that Fletcher, hair standing on end, ran out of Shoney's brandishing his suckers, jumped in a car, yelled, "I got them, I got them," only to notice that he recognized no one in that car.  We have a tie that binds us.

Ah, and then there is Miz Bernie.  I love her.  I loved her husband, Buddy.  When our son was nearly inconsolable over the death of his dog, Mr. Buddy talked with him.  Buddy had just sadly had a dog put down, and so this lovely man, commiserated with our 8 year old son.  On our son's level. Talk about ties that bind.  Our son, when selling Boy Scout candy bars, went to Miz Bernie's house.  When she invited him in, he looked all around and in awe inquired, "is your house always this clean."  Yes, that is a testimony to my housekeeping skills.   We never missed stopping at their house at Halloween.  They decorated so lavishly.  We have a tie that binds us.

For some reason, my previously published "Ties that bind" left a whole paragraph out.  It left out Mr. Jim and Jayne.  It left out Kay and Mike.  Both these couples have lost 2 sons, and, yet, they continue on in faith and grace and dignity.  Whenever I ask Mr. Jim how he's doing, he always replies, "there's been no change."  He loves courting that curmudgeon demeanor, but he doesn't have me fooled.  He is just a big ol' sweetheart.  Celia.  Celia with the beautiful eyes and beatific smile.  She is always so complimentary and encouraging of others' accomplishments.  Ralph and Kay.  Again, I haven't known them long, but I love them.  They have great children.  Their children have great parents.  Martha and John and Fletcher's sister, Gail, I barely know.  I look forward to more opportunities to spend time with them.

So for today, I wish you ties that bind you to our Lord, our Father, and to those who struggle alongside you to serve well, and I wish you

blessings