Chick and Louise a Love Story - The End

Chick passed away today.  As the last few days had become increasingly painful and long for Chick and Louise, prayers of peace and comfort had begun in abundance.  Today the prayers of peace were answered for Chick.  Though there is relief in his new peace, there is sadness in Chick’s absence on this Earth.  Today, Louise lost her best friend and love of sixty-six years and there is an intense amount of loneliness in her heart.  Louise knows that one day they will be united again, but until then she must journey on alone.

On October 30^th, 1946 two souls were joined as one under God and before family and friends.  Two lives were melded into one and went on to create a family full of their love.  Today, though the lives have been temporary separated, is not the end of this love story.  The love story of Chick and Louise lives on in their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  In all that they accomplish and all they become.  There is no end to such a love story because there is no end to true love.

“They that love beyond the world cannot be separated by it. Death cannot kill what never dies.” ~ Williams Penn

And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”  - Luke 23:43

Chick and Louise a Love Story Part 1

Chick and Louise a Love Story Part 2

Chick and Louise a Love Story Part 3

Chick and Louise – A Love Story Part 3

Several months have passed since Chick entered the rehab, aka nursing home.   Louise continues to visit him diligently and dutifully, though Chick’s condition continues to deteriorate and there are more bad days then good. 

Today, Chick was asleep for most of her visit, but that does not detour Louise from gently caressing his forehead and cupping his chin to look into his face.  Her furrowed brow and tight lipped grimace, soften as Chick opens his eyes from time to time.  Louise eagerly tries to talk with Chick but the moments are quickly gone with his silent return to sleep and her face falls once again.  Seldom looking away from his face, Louise continues to wait for an opportunity to communicate with her love.

In the months since Chick has been away, many celebrations and occasions have been made new with the haunted memories of what once was.  Thanksgiving and Christmas came and went without Chick at the table and the couple celebrated sixty-six years of marriage.   In the quiet of the empty house, Louise is often brought back to memories of when the house was full of people and happiness.  When house guests were plenty and the kitchen was always warm.  Today, the kitchen is littered with unopened mail and the sink holds one lone glass and plate from Louise’s breakfast.  

As Louise continues to wait for an opportunity to connect with Chick, the clock ticks on and her visiting time comes to an end.  “He doesn't look so good” she mutters seemingly to herself as she straightens his blankets and fixes his hair, most likely talking to the God she feels doesn't hear her right now.  She often calls out in the night, asking what she has done to deserve this, why does He want her to suffer.  The night is filled with a thick silence.   “I will be back tomorrow, Chick” she says to the still body that was once her restless, active husband.  Chick does not move.  Louise bends over and gives him a kiss good-bye and as she stands to go, her face crumbles and her eyes well with tears.   With each step away, she stops and turns back in hopes that Chick has awaken and all is well again.   The departure is painful and it shows on her face.  “Chick is on his way out,” she remarks and slowly, tearfully and torn she returns to the empty house that was once their home.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. - Psalm 23:4

Chick and Louise a Love Story - Part 1

Chick and Louise a Love Story - Part 2

Summer is on the Move

Summer is quickly fleeting as we enter the month of August.  The days are already getting shorter, though the weather is still warm.  We are at the point in the season where the threat of thunderstorms happens on a daily basis and often puts an exclamation point at the end of fun filled final days of summer.  The pool attendances become less and back to school items litter the shelves.    Another season is diligently making way for the next. The changing of seasons can often be an exciting time; dreaming of traditions to come and new memories to be made.  

Our lives are full of seasons both environmentally and spiritually.  As we make our way through our path in life, we will encounter many changing seasons.  There is a season to play as a carefree child and then a season to take responsibility for ourselves as a young adult.  A season to grow our family, a season to watch them grow on their own and a season to wait until God calls us home.  There will be seasons with thunderstorms and seasons of tremendous rain.  There will seasons of sunshine and bitter cold.  But best of all there will be seasons of joy, hope and faithful, enduring love.  As we feel the seasons change, rather than mourn the season passing, we need to embrace the seasons to come and remember that He never changes.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)

Italian Bean Salad

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.  (Psalm 119:105)

Italian Bean Salad
This salad is full of flavor, protein, easy to make and free of gluten. 

Ingredients:

15 Ounces Garbanzo Beans (1 can)
15 Ounces Black Beans (1 can)

2 Cups Chopped Cherry Tomatoes

3-4 Green Onions Chopped
1 1/2 Cups Parsley, Finely Chopped
1 Large Lemon, Juiced

3 Tablespoon Extra-Virgin Olive Oil

2-4 Cloves Minced Garlic

2 Tablespoons Parmesan Cheese
Salt and Pepper to Taste

Directions:

Drain and rinse canned beans and place in large bowl.  Chop tomatoes, green onions, parsley and add to beans.  Salt and pepper bean mixture.

In a separate bowl, combine lemon juice, olive oil, garlic and parmesan cheese.  Whisk together and then add to beans and tomatoes to cover mixture completely.  Sprinkle a little extra parmesan cheese if desired.  Chill completely prior to serving.  Enjoy!

Not About You

Recently while on a family hike, my youngest Emily looked to Bob and said “Dad, did you get us lost?”

“No, I know right where we are.” He confidently replied.

“Well, it is always about you then isn’t it Dad.”

While this was a bit of a snarky remark for a four year old and certainly caught us off guard, I was in fact hearing my words come out of her little mouth.  I have been known more than once to remind my children that this world and often the things we have to accomplish are not solely about them.  When I hear a whine following my request to get ready to go visit someone they don’t want or to help their sister or brother on a task they would rather not, I quickly reply with “this is not about you and your needs right now. “  And they sulk their way through the task to completion.

I am guilty of not always listening to my own advice, as I am sure we all are from time to time.  It is very easy to forget that this world and our existence on this spinning globe is not all about us.  We are here for a greater purpose and though we may not be aware of the purpose today, someday it will be clear.  Getting distracted with daily tasks and routines can leave us feeling selfishly needy and move our focus from where it ought to be.  When we lose focus, we miss opportunities to help others and serve the Lord.  The Lord is large, perfect and easy to focus on and He has provided us with the perfect life map to follow while we are small, flawed and lost in our own selfishness much of the time. 

Good and gracious God, I am grateful for Your guidance and patience with my sometimes lost focus.  It is not about me and I am thankful that You never let me stay lost.

Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. (1 Corinthians 10:24)

Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2)

Gluten Free Banana Muffins (or Bread)

My children fight often, as all siblings do.  The summer months seem to bring out more of the bickering, which can often start as soon as they open their eyes to start the day.  While this can be an extremely frustrating time as a parent, I am trying to use this period as a learning experience for the children and myself.   Along with the opportunity to grow our patience, we are also given the chance to learn how to react kindly and respond softly.  When a fight erupts over who bumped into whom or who has the next turn on the trampoline, we are learning to listen rather than speak louder.  And then we bake muffins.

 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger...James 1:19

Gluten Free Banana Muffins (or Bread)

Ingredients:

½ Cup Butter

1 Cup Sugar

2 Eggs

4 Ripe Bananas

½ Cup Sorghum Flour

½ Cup Buckwheat Flour

¼ Cup Oat Flour

¼ Cup Coconut Flour

½  tsp Baking Soda

1 tsp Vanilla

Directions:

Cream the butter and sugar together.  Mash the bananas and then add to butter and sugar mixture along with the eggs and vanilla.  Mix in flours, baking soda and salt.  Pour into prepared muffin tins or loaf pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 20min for muffins and 60min for bread or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.   

This recipe yields approximately 24-30 muffins or 1 loaf of bread.

Chick and Louise a Love Story – Part 2

Today Chick is a bit cranky, wanting to talk with the person in charge about the quality of the food.  Another lunch of mashed potatoes and ground beef with gravy is not appealing to his spoiled pallet.  Louise has always cooked such delectable meals that this “slop” is getting on his last nerve.  Louise is equally disgusted with the meals that do not even come close to comparing to her lovingly prepared spreads; however she knows that no amount of squawking on Chick’s part will change the menu.  As Louise attempts to take him out of the cafeteria to relax, Chick slams his feet down in protest so that the wheel chair stops dead.   Eventually a nurse has to intervene and move Chick out of the door way, despite his protest so that the rest of the residents are able to exit the cafeteria.

Although it was a rough start to the couple’s visiting time together today, they quickly fall into relaxation mode with Chick resting in his chair and Louise gently holding his hand by his side.  While visiting, they reminisce a bit and remember a time shortly after they were married that Chick recorded a song onto a record.  The song, “Yours and Mine” first sung by Guy Lombardo quickly comes back to them:

 

Just a home with morning glories,

like you read about in stories;

And we’ll call it yours and mine.

Where the flowers extend their greetings,

Where the bluebirds hold their meetings;

We’ll call it yours and mine.

When the sun gets up, then we’ll get up;

 and I’ll help you cook.

Then when you sit down, I’ll sit down 

in our breakfast nook.

Then between your chair and my chair

 maybe there will be a high chair;

And we’ll call it yours and mine.

As they recall the song and the time back when, they laugh together.  Sixty-five years of marriage yields many fond memories that can easily remove the frustration of poorly prepared lunches.  The silence that followed the laughter was full of warmth from their smiles as they held hands just knowing they are together at this moment and for now that is good enough.

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. (James 1:12 ESV)