Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: HARMONY (11/03/22)
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TITLE: Home | Previous Challenge Entry
By Louis Detweiler
11/10/22 -
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Sarah said, “I’m sorry about the trash in the parking lot. They must have a problem staffing over the holidays.”
Millie, “I made sure my car is locked. Is the nursing home clean? How long has Bob been here?”
“Almost seven months. His wife had pancreatic cancer and her disease drained him financially. He only gets a social security check every month, and this is all he can afford.”
The staff attendant at the lobby desk had the two women sign in. “Merry Christmas. It is always good to see visitors here. I know Bob is looking forward to seeing you two.”
Sarah said, “Thank you. Merry Christmas.”
After a few paces, Millie said, “Ew, this place has a foul antiseptic smell. Let’s get to Bob’s room.”
“Just keep walking. Bob says he gets used to the smell. He says he meets other people, so at least he doesn’t feel lonely.”
“I see wheelchairs and people just standing in the hallways. Look, Christmas decorations. What type of people are in here? Where is the staff? I hope my family can just let me live at home until I die.”
“This place has problems, but he can’t live with my family. We have two cousins and their families living in our home. One got sick, lost his job, and had nowhere to go. He now works and saves all he can to move out. The other cousin got strung out on drugs. She lost her marriage. We take care of her two daughters. She is in rehab. She is making progress, but we are crowded. The next room is Bob’s.”
The door opened, “Hi Bob. I told you I’d come visit today. This is my friend Mille who lives down the street. Her family moved into the old Crumpler house.”
“Sarah, you’re a Godsend. You’ve made my day. Thank you for coming. Did you see the Christmas decorations in the hall?"
Millie, “The Christmas trees and wreaths along the walls looks nice.”
Sarah, “I consider you my grandpa, Bob. It’s good to see you.”
Bob, “I consider you family, too. It’s been a while since my children have visited.”
Millie, “Sarah told me you once had a large family.”
Bob, “Yes, we did. We didn’t use nursing homes in my father’s family. We had children, parents, relatives, and grandparents all living together under one roof.”
Millie, “That must have been horrible. You must’ve kept getting in each other’s way.”
Sarah, “I know. Living with too many people is hard.”
Bob, “Our attitude was different. We helped each other. We never needed a babysitter. Someone was always willing to help with yard work or make dinner. If you change your attitude, Sarah, your family will benefit. With all the people in the house, we never were bothered by intruders.”
Sarah, “You are so wise. I need you to come over and visit with my family.”
Millie, “If you could only talk with my household. We are always going in different directions.”
Bob, “Your families need to pray together. At my father's house, we all sat around the dinner table and prayed before every meal. I still remember the prayer my father always recited before dinner. (Psalms 19:4) ‘Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and Redeemer.’”
Sarah, “Do you have a dining room in the nursing home?”
Bob, “No. We have a TV room, a meeting room, and an exercise room. Sometimes I eat in the meeting room, but mostly I just eat in my bedroom.”
Millie, “You have so much wisdom and so much to give to others.”
Bob, “When you pray and put God first, positive things can happen.”
Millie, “Come live in my home, Bob. We don’t have much, but you can teach us to pray. We need to help one another instead of fight and complain. Please help us.”
Bob, “I need to pray about this.”
Millie, “We need your prayers. Please help us change our attitude to one of helping each other."
Sarah, “Then, if you want, Bob, you can come live with my family when my two cousins move out.”
Bob, “This is a wonderful news. This place doesn’t feel like home. I’ll come. Thank you.”
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