My day started off heading out to the nursing home. For those of you that don't know, Jeff and have been volunteering at Apostolic Christian Rest Haven for over 5 yrs now! We wanted to do some sort of ministry together when we started dating, and we found this to be one we could enjoy together and spread God's love. We've been doing it ever since. However, now with Jeff's job, he works every other Saturday morning. This morning was a work day for Jeff... so I headed off by myself. I still had fun. I was greeted by Ken, a very tan old man. He loves to sit outside and soak up the sun. Today, it was a cooler morning, so he was fully dressed (sometimes he's only got shorts on!), yet out enjoying the sunshine. I asked Ken if he'd come in and play the bean bag toss game with us. He replied "That game is for old ladies." I laughed at him and quickly responded "Are you calling me an old lady?" The twinkle in his eyes as he laughed at me and the way he reached for my hand made my day. What a sweetheart. Inside, I went to help Shirley get ready to come out for the game. Another sweetheart. She explained to me that she wasn't sure if she had even changed her clothes yet, and she wasn't sure if what she was wearing was matching or not. I let her know that she looked beautiful. Again, another smile and another soft hand reached out for mine. Then she hung her head bashfully, and thanked me for the compliment. It feels good to make people smile.
I ran to Woodmans and got some really good deals. I got 1/2 gallons of chocolate milk for 50cents! I got all kinds of meat for $1.99! And I got a whole chicken for $1.99! I told Jeff about the whole chicken and he asked if it still had the head on it. (I rolled my eyes.) Then he added "If it still has the feet, you could write your dad a note with the chicken feet... then he'll say 'This looks like chicken scratch!" Silly boy...
Jeff and I enjoyed the beautiful weather and worked in the yard today. He mowed the grass (it was long overdue!) and I did some trimming of bushes and some weeding. We cleaned things up a bit and made everything look a little better. Ahh... that feels so good! I love days like this... when it's cool enough to work outside.
This evening I met some of my friends (from Bible study) at Harvest Bible Chapel. They had a worship concert out on the lawn! It is sort of like Ravinia, for those of you that are familiar with that. We brought food (LOTS OF FOOD, right ladies?), and enjoyed the company and the music. It was wonderful!
Afterward, I had some spare "alone" time, so I ran some food over to my dad's house. We got to enjoy some time chatting on his front steps. I love nights like that. It reminds me of when we were little... he'd dish us up some rainbow sherbet, and we'd all sit out on the front steps in our pajamas. Ahhh... life is good!
I like your comments about the old folks holding your hand. My Grandma passed away a year and a half ago and I have fond memories of her sitting next to me and holding my hands. She would always say, "your hands are freezing!" (they always are). I have had a few people shake my hand or older people holding my hand and saying the same thing. I always smile inside because to me, they are like little reminders of my Grandma that God gives me. I went to visit Robb's Grandma once and I held her hands as we said goodbye and left for home. I got tears in my eyes as she said how cold my hands were. Hers were warm and soft. :) I got choked up a few times on that trip, but Grandma/pa figures are so comforting sometimes.
ReplyDeleteYes, we had quite a feast at the concert! It cracked me up that that man commented on how much food we have. It seems like someone always comes up to us when we're in public. Remember when we were at DD and the pastor came up to us? Next we were at Harvest and that man came up to us. Cracks me up!