tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710381019162583843.post354280683711513349..comments2023-10-30T05:54:44.374-04:00Comments on Be Still and Know... : Be a building block, not a stumbling block.Robin Lambrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12408265939620170615noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710381019162583843.post-5050881231904008492008-02-24T13:49:00.000-05:002008-02-24T13:49:00.000-05:00I heard an interesting quote on my way to Buford t...I heard an interesting quote on my way to Buford to attend my aunt and uncle's 60th wedding annivesary. <BR/><BR/>The quote was "a smile is worth a million intentions". <BR/><BR/>The more I pondered that, especially over the next couple of hours, the more it sunk in to my hard head.<BR/><BR/>When I walked into the house, there were probably 20 or so strangers greeting all the family. As I worked through the crowd, I realized several of them were people I had known as a child but didn't recognize their faces due to time and gravity. The one thing that remained and that was a constant though were their smiles...many times I recognized them through their smile and their eyes.<BR/><BR/>Then when my sister and I were sitting on either side of my Uncle, who is now 80-something and in the deep throws of dimensia, his eyes were bright yet vacant. What remained as it was when I was a child, though, was his smile.<BR/> <BR/>God gave him the strength that day to look at all the visitors, concentrate on their faces trying to pull recognition from somewhere. Even though you could tell "he had no clue who you were", he welcomed your pleasantries, smiled all afternoon, and seemed content. <BR/><BR/>His wonderful caregivers helped him in many ways...and they did it lovingly. I saw God working through them, comforting him, moving him from table to chair to couch to the wedding cake and to the bathroom! No gruff voices, all done with tender hands and smiles on their faces, to meet him where he was. <BR/><BR/>My Aunt watched over them --you could see she so wanted to be doing it for him; however, she is now dealing with bad knees and is on a walker/cain herself. She realized her inability and appreciatively accepted the help of others.<BR/><BR/>I know others struggle with not having that kind of care or those kinds of attitudes from caregivers, and I am so sorry for them. I'm so grateful my uncle and aunt have this support and kindness.<BR/><BR/>As I had to return home, it was difficult to say goodbye because I don't know how much more time he has, he's so frail. <BR/><BR/>But I have wonderful memories of his "before life" when I was a child, teenager, and young adult. He loved children and pets with a passion, loved to make things for everyone and give things away. He loved going to Waffle House and having coffee with his old BellSouth buddies. But first and foremost he was a good steward of his family, his love for them and his friends....He was definitely a building block for me.<BR/><BR/>I'll always have the intentional love he showed me as his niece.<BR/><BR/>His smile will remain emblazoned in my mind (and I can't help but snicker as I remember his toppled head as he laid asleep in the recliner after lunch--at peace). I kind of like that memory, too!<BR/><BR/>luv ya,<BR/>SKSkoots1moMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15062108140123899280noreply@blogger.com