Wee-cation

~ Beloved Sistah ~

The past few weeks have been chocked full of busyness but now we're winding down. My family was here this week and we thoroughly enjoyed their visit but Thursday night, before they left early Friday morning, we received a phone call from a Baltimore cousin who tracked Mom and Daddy here. Richard had bad news; earlier, around 7:00 p.m., Aunt Esther had an apparent heart attack and died. She had fallen in her front yard, going to visit Ocie, her beloved friend of more than seven decades! and next door neighbor. Ocie was waiting on her porch, saw Aunt Esther fall and ran out with blanket, pillow and telephone to call for help. Before help or family could arrive, Aunt Esther died, held lovingly in Ocie's arms. Thank God, it was quick and she suffered little; finally, she's at peace and with Uncle Clarence, her husband, and Frank, her son, both of whom had gone Home decades earlier. 

When Aunt Esther and I visited a few weeks ago, she was full of talk about how "life doesn't seem fair. I don't mean to complain but it just doesn't seem fair. Clarence went decades ago and Frank followed, leaving me behind. I just don't understand." Neither do I but we both decided, again, we'd trust God and believe He knows best; our life is in His hands, His Good Hands, and so we trust.

Aunt Esther's favorite poem was The House By the Side of the Road by Sam Walter Foss:

THERE are hermit souls that live withdrawn

In the place of their self-content;

There are souls like stars, that dwell apart,

In a fellowless firmament;

There are pioneer souls that blaze the paths

Where highways never ran-

But let me live by the side of the road

And be a friend to man. 

Let me live in a house by the side of the road

Where the race of men go by-

The men who are good and the men who are bad,

As good and as bad as I.

I would not sit in the scorner's seat

Nor hurl the cynic's ban-

Let me live in a house by the side of the road

And be a friend to man. 

I see from my house by the side of the road

By the side of the highway of life,

The men who press with the ardor of hope,

The men who are faint with the strife,

But I turn not away from their smiles and tears,

Both parts of an infinite plan-

Let me live in a house by the side of the road

And be a friend to man. 

I know there are brook-gladdened meadows ahead,

And mountains of wearisome height;

That the road passes on through the long afternoon

And stretches away to the night.

And still I rejoice when the travelers rejoice

And weep with the strangers that moan,

Nor live in my house by the side of the road

Like a man who dwells alone. 

Let me live in my house by the side of the road,

Where the race of men go by-

They are good, they are bad, they are weak, they are strong,

Wise, foolish - so am I.

Then why should I sit in the scorner's seat,

Or hurl the cynic's ban?

Let me live in my house by the side of the road

And be a friend to man. 

Each time I would visit, we would talk about being Christian women who are content with their lives. She often told me all she wanted was to "be a friend to man" and she was too. There are many, over the course of her life, who counted her a friend and loved her. She was a tireless church and community worker and leaves behind a legacy of family, friends and neighbors who not only loved her well but knew she loved them. The blessings are too many too count.

~ mo mhuimtir ~

Dave and I have made this weekend a wee-cation...get it? I'm rather a clever gal, aren't I (huge chortle)! We went to the library this morning, downloaded some audio books then came home and napped. It's been cool, no warmer than 59 degrees F and great sleeping weather. Home is where I need to be nestled, contained, held, loved right now. Home is the great sustaining influence in my life while Christ is the great sustaining influence over my life. Dave and I have built Sanctuary here at Thistle Cove Farm and have been blessed to share it with many. 

My fondest desire is that I've been a friend to man, living in my house by the side of the road. That most people who come here find a blessing and not a curse, although, at times, I know too well how I've failed and ask forgiveness of those whom I've injured. Whenever possible, I want to cast off me and put on the mantle of Christ; let people see Him in both His handiwork and our lives; less of me, more of Him.

Save me a place, Aunt Esther; I'll be Home directly.

Blessings ~ Aunt Esther ~ my family ~ Uncle Clarence ~ Frank ~ Dave ~ Thistle Cove Farm ~

~ Christ ~