I’m here to see her

Living in a very busy world, it is easy to see past the needy people who cross our path.  During 2009, health issues required me to be in a wheel chair.  Friends in church would walk by me and not see me.  My conclusion is that we don’t see people in wheel chairs, nor the elderly or the disabled.  The very people Jesus has told us to take care, we just don’t see; me included.  Jesus is very clear about how important it is to pay attention to the needy and to take care of them.

“And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matthew 25:40).

The following story is from my youth; more than thirty years ago.

Week after week, she stood out of the way, blending into the back wall of the church.  An elderly woman in her seventies, her name was Aida and her stoic and stern stance made her look mean.  She never cracked a smile; never said a word while she patiently waited for her ride.

Few knew that she was a graduate of the prestigious school of nursing at Loyola University and had served as a nurse at Maywood Hospital for over forty years.  From her seemingly shy personality, no would have guessed that she was in such a social profession.  Unless you talked to her, she would play the wall flower and never say a word because she was self conscious about not having any teeth.  Though she had dentures, she stopped wearing those years before because they hurt too much.  So there she stood, afraid to talk and afraid to smile.

One week, a woman noticed her and introduced herself, her name was Phyllis, and they became good friends.  Aida looked forward to their weekly shopping trips and outings and a new spark of life filled her with purpose of being. It was not long before Aida became a part of Phyllis’ family having occasional dinners and spending time on holidays.

Then one day she was not feeling well and could not go out shopping.  Her heart was growing weak and from that day she hardly ever left her apartment.   She knew that she had entered her final years and wanted to be visited by her minister.  The older seasoned pastor of her church, whom she knew well had retired and moved away.  His replacement was a very young man who was a hit with the young people, but never seemed to have time for the elderly.  For over a year Aida kept asking for a visit and Pastor Carl just couldn’t seem to find the time to visit her.

By this time Phyllis was visiting her daily to take care of her personal needs as well as shopping, cooking and cleaning.  One day Phyllis found Aida very near to death and stayed with her all day into the late afternoon; holding her and comforting her while talking to her.  She smiled at Phyllis and she smiled back as Aida took her last breath and died in her arms.

A few minutes later there was a knock at the door.  It was Pastor Carl, he said, “I’m here to see Aida.  Phyllis replied, “She just died.”  Carl said over and over again, “She can’t be dead; I’m here to see her.”  His negligent act haunted him for many years and shortly after Aida’s death Carl left the ministry.

Phyllis was my mother who in 2005 became an invalid and homebound for the last five months of her life.  She received the same loving care that she had given to so many throughout her life and died in the loving arms of my sister Lisa in May of that year at Lisa’s home.