Sunday afternoon we stopped over at the Mason Christian Village to visit my Mother in Law, age 94. Hazel and I have been partners in Pinochle for over 48 years. I know how long it has been because Karen and I started dating close to 49 year ago. In fact, our first date was May 6, 1961.
Hazel and I had spent an afternoon defending our spectacular record of beating Karen and her sister Toni some 46 of those 49 years. Here is the problem; at age 94 Hazel can barely remember the trump suit let alone how to bid and play.
But we played and had loads of fun despite the fact that we lost every hand. We laughed and kidded around and talked about the old days. Hazel, who has an inoperable disease, was almost like her old self and perked up all day without a nap. Yes, being together in warmth, and love had a very positive impact on her.
At 94 Hazel is not going to be cured but she can be healed substantially. Nothing cures old age but faith, hope and love can bring a person new joy and energy. That is exactly what happened to Hazel. She normally sleeps many hours each day but with us there she took no nap and was mentally alert all afternoon and even attended church that night.
Sharing life together in the joy of the Lord can have wonderful effects. It is free, easy to do and can be entered into with little or no preparation. Many people spend their lives in desperate isolation. They need someone to stop by and say hello or play a game of gin rummy. We don't need special training or deep religious understanding to be a vessel of God's love, grace and mercy.
These three remain; faith, hope and love but the greatest is love. I CO 13:13.
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