This picture was taken in December of 2013. Terry's Mom, Viola, is pictured here with her former pastor. She is 97 1/2 years old. She is one of the most positive people I know. She does live at home because of the assistance of a 24 hour caretaker. We are all blessed by the tender care that Viola is enjoying.
Yesterday, Terry and I went to see her. I had taken pictures to post, but somehow when I was downloading them into the computer, they were deleted. Oh well, these smiling faces are a good picture to put here.
The day was beautiful and warm. What a relief after such a crazy few weeks. Terry was his cheerful self and enjoyed sitting on the daybed next to his Mama and talking with Jamie. After a while, Viola grew tired and we decided to leave and go to Beaver to do some business for her. It seems to be more difficult to leave her each time. Although she is very strong for her age, we know that it is a blessing that she is still here.
We drove by the farm on the way to Beaver. The place was the same and different at the same time. I thought of the first time Terry took me there almost 40 years ago. Time changes everything. Terry walked in the pasture and looked at the places he grew up. I thought of him as a child there and all his growing up years. His mother and daddy did a good job raising responsible and loving people.
As I told Viola goodbye, she was laying on the daybed and getting ready to take a nap. I put my hand on her cheek. She seemed so small. I didn't see recognition in her eyes, but I knew she loved me. I wondered if I had blessed her life in any measure as much as she has blessed me. My daddy used to say, "Time don't wait for anybody." It is true. As I looked in her eyes, I wondered if I squandered time in becoming a better friend to her. She has been someone my children and grandchildren can look to and say, "Now there is a woman of God."
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