Joyful Souls to the End

After visiting older people in their homes, and in nursing homes for many years I found that some survived their lives filled with joy, graciousness, and appreciation for each day God had given them. Here is what I witnessed in some older people.

An elderly couple sit alone as they have most every day for 5 or 6 years. They've been together 60 plus years-active years until poor health halted their busy schedules. With much for which to be thankful they harbor no ill feelings toward those who only drop by occasionally, and certainly cherish every moment of chat time when someone does stop in for a visit. They understand how brief are the minutes in a day for those who vigorously run the race of life as they once did. This gracious pair do what they can for themselves being entertained by reading, taking unplanned naps, looking at old pictures, and reminiscing about the wonderful days of their past.

Their house is like a museum graced by displayed personal memorabilia everywhere. A few awards, certificates, and honors featuring their achievements can be seen, but mostly pictures and objects representing friends, family, and church activities fill their walls and occupy space on their tables. Sometimes their rare conversations trigger a brief moment of sadness when a departed classmate or good friend is mentioned. But mostly, now in their ebbing years, thoughts of old friends and friendly times fill the lonely their moments as they sit together in silence. Less frequently memories of worn out stories told over and over at class reunions and family reunions lie quietly stored away like precious exhibits in a museum case. These days a simple smile surficies representing the boisterous laughter that once filled the rooms when gatherings demanded the retelling of a story. A story having been exaggerated so many times that no one knew exactly what really happened.

He looks at her, “Do you remember when…”! and he stops not having to finish because somehow she knows what he was about to say. She nods, and together they smile. Good friends worth remembering, wonderful moments never forgotten, cherished times retrieved in ancient thoughts, and thankfulness for the smiles they bring. The lovely twosome determined long ago that they would enjoy life together no matter what their final days brought. Their love for each other would be more than enough to sustain them to the end.