Making Christmas Candy Day 374

Proverbs 10:4  Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.  Yesterday, I felt the riches of Jesus, as I helped my dear friend Rose.  For many years Rose has gifted many loved ones and friends with homemade candy at Christmas.  Due to the crippling arthritis that has taken residency in her aging body, she needed my hands and feet to continue her Christmas tradition. 

 Rose directed my steps from the comfort of her chair, as I delighted in the instructions and the conversation! While the chocolate slowly and precisely melted to perfection, we where serenaded by a 1940ish style In The Mood Christmas CD.   For hours,  Rose flipped through pages of memories, as I hung onto every treasured memento that she shared; stocking filled with fruit nuts and pennies in the toe, gifts of love and compassion that warmed the soul.   A love filled home with one daughter, 2 sons, a hard working father and an Italian speaking mother, surviving in a county embarking on the wings of a world war. A life of simplicity and a place at their family table for all, strangers welcomed and fed.  A cadet nurse dancing outside with a young friend that would soon experience the devastation of the impending war.

I thank God, for the time that I have to provide assistance to Rose; the gift of time and ones self is the most precious gift that we can give during this season of love, in honor of our savior Jesus Christ!   The hours that Rose and I spent together was priceless, thank you God.

Candy is done, off for another special visit.  I first met 87 year old Dorothy, when she walked into my new and exciting facility, Curves an exercise program for women, in 2003.  At the time, Dorothy was a mere babe of 79 years young; she showed up on opening day ready to sign on the dotted line to become a member of this new exercise program. 

Her excitement and enthusiasm were contagious, she was joining to improve her health and to prove a point to family members.  You see, Dorthy had recently visited with nieces, who had offered her a wheel chair.  Imagine that, they thought that I couldn't`t walk on my own, she was appalled!  What a joy to witness the strength and stamina that Dorothy`s dedication acquired, not to mention the encouragement that she provided for women of all ages.

My Curves franchise is now a memory, but Dorothy is still going strong.   Once I closed the doors, she transferred her membership to another location.  With pride and dignity she shared that she now has 1320 workouts under her belt; I created a work-out diva!   Linda, I`m in pretty good shape, except for a little swelling in my ankles, what do you think?  Dorothy, I think that is amazing and that I am truly blessed;  God provided the perfect opportunity for us to meet!  Thank you, Father God!

Psalm 139:14  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made: your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

 You go Dorothy, use it or lose it!  Before leaving Dorothy, I knelt in front of her chair, joined hands and together we prayed and thanked God for his mighty blessings.

Two days later as Rick and I were scurring  around to finish our Christmas shopping,  I ran into another dear friend, Tom Walmsley.   Tom and Eleanor have been friends for decades, I went to school with their son, David, we were good buddies.  However, through marriages and divorces Dave and I have lost touch, but not the case with his mom and dad.  Over the years I would always just happen to run into the two of then, rarely seeing one without the other.

Today Tom was traveling alone, when I inquired about his side-kick, he said she`s at home.  As I stared into his eyes, I hear much more than he shared, I asked if it would be alright to stop in.  Today was the day, I put actions into my concerns for my life-time friend, and pulled in the drive way!

 Still in her night clothes and a warning me not to get to close, I was greeted with a smile of love and compassion.  My visit was short but packed full of love, as we reminisced and brought one another up to speed about our families!   The Walmsley`s have been a very low maintenance friendship that has been a blessings for more than forty some years.  I remember, the first time that Eleanor met Rick, she told him that she always wanted me to marry David; Rick was at a loss for words, I took it as a compliment!

Father God, I thank you for the gift of free-time!  As I grow older and perhaps wiser, I thank you for the love and friendships that have knocked on the open doors of my heart.   Thank you, for your never failing love, your daughter, Linda.

Now from Mom`s favorite--Psalms 23:6  Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.  Amen!