Good morning…
Remember? I shared with you that my parents, ages 80 and 81, moved away from our hometown of Berea, Ohio after living there for over fifty years. Following the lead of several good friends, on November 1st, 2018 they moved into a two-bedroom, two-bath villa in a continuing care, retirement community twenty minutes away. In early December I visited them in their new home.
I loved seeing all of their favorite pictures, paintings, and prized possessions nestled neatly into their new space. I loved eating meals with them at the old kitchen table, around the same dining room set, and at their community dining hall with a feast of new faces. Walking around the snow-sprinkled grounds, I loved hearing stories about who they had met, what opportunities they were anticipating, and how grateful they were to continue volunteering at Habitat For Humanity and Love I.N.C. and to remain active members at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church for as long as possible. Their new villa, surrounded by brand new neighbors, felt cozy, inviting, and already filled with God’s natural light, with God’s life-giving love.
My mom reminisced as she, my sister, and I drove to Amish country to help her long-time friend Lydia make candy in her Amish candy shop, “You know, 525 Fair Street (in Berea) is where we raised you three kids. 595 Miles Lane (also in Berea) is where we raised our twelve grandkids. Now the Renaissance is the home where we will someday spend time with our great grandkids.”
What a marvelous perspective. Three homes for three distinct seasons of life. Talk about living fully before dying well, right?
I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother…and in your mother…and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God…For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:5-7, NIV).
…Sue…
