Just Thoughts

My friend Meghan wrote a beautiful post on her blog about her mother. It made me think. I thought about writing a couple of days ago and didn't. So here I am. 

I have mentioned my neighbor before. She is now 94. She lives on her own. She has never driven. She used to work in cotton fields. She always wears dresses. She loves to eat strick-o-lean. She hates to cook and clean. She loves to garden. She doesn't like reading, but always reads her Bible. Her name is Alice W. She has known me since I was in my mother's womb.

Every week I try to take some time to visit with Mrs. W. Usually I take her some leftovers so that she doesn't have to cook, and we visit for awhile. I love our visits. Sometimes I hear the same stories over and over. Sometimes she tells me how the reports on the news worry her. Sometimes we talk about the weather. Sometimes we talk about God. I love our visits. 

I was thinking after our visit last night, why don't we spend more time with our neighbors and our elderly? It doesn't take much time. It doesn't cost me a thing to visit with Mrs. W but I am richer for our friendship. I find myself visiting her more often lately, as I leave wondering if that was the last time that I will see her on this earth. One day she won't be here to go visit. I know this. I am trying to soak up our times together. She is full of wisdom. She taught my mom that you don't have to go to church to have a relationship with God. That was during a rough spell when I was really sick. She helps me to slow down. I try to enjoy our lulls in conversation.

This isn't very poetic I know. And I am ending abruptly. I just wanted to remind myself to slow down, to take the time to enjoy those that are in my life. When it comes down to it, I know that those are the times that I will cherish. What will you cherish?