These Are My People

Some people, no matter how old they get, never lose their beauty - they merely move it from their faces into their hearts. ~Martin Buxbaum

There is a country song called "These Are My People" and that title appropriately fit our night tonight. I love old people. LOVE them. I love them so much that when Todd and I first got married, I called a retirement community to see if they would make any exceptions for us to live there. They said no.

I think my relationship with my Grandma Ada ignited my passion for senior citizens. She had my dad late in her life, so by the time I came around she was already in her 60s. Grandma Ada was my best friend. My mom was gone a lot when I was young (she was a Sophmore in college when she had me and worked full time - I will never know how she did it!) But because of that, my grandma practically raised me. I was always around people her age. That was just life. I wasn't playing with other kids at preschool; I was listening to my great aunts and uncles talk about the news and the weather. I picked green beans in the garden and loved when the AARP magazine came in the mail because I always got to do the word search puzzle on the last page. Those were the days!

My grandma passed away when I was 16 and that wise, older influence has been missing in my life ever since. But, God has a way of meeting our needs.

Todd and I are very involved in the youth group at our church and the thing I love the most about our students is their heart for senior citizens. They love visiting the retirement communities with us to play Scrabble, bean bag baseball and cards. They willingly give up their time to spend it with those that don't often have visitors. It makes my heart melt.

Tonight we visited The Manor at Steeplechase retirement community. It was a great way to distract me from the craziness of this week. My cup was filled and I'm thankful that our students keep coming back. Another visit is already on the calendar. They make me so proud!

Shelby and Mariah with Kay

Addie (our beanbag baseball umpire) and Kay

Todd and Lois

Remember the days of long ago; think about the generations past. Ask your father, and he will inform you. Inquire of your elders, and they will tell you.

-Deuteronomy 32:7