Commitment

Let me introduce you to Harold and Irene*. I see them every Sunday and Friday’s when I am at my mom place. They sit together and sometimes Harold greets us and talks about the day’s events of just life in general. Often on Sunday afternoons you find them both napping quietly. No one bothers them and everyone just lets them be together.


You see Irene lives in the nursing home and Harold comes to spend the day with her. Irene can’t see any longer and is unable to talk. I’m not sure Irene is really aware of her surroundings, but it doesn’t matter to Harold, for him it is about being with his wife, for better or worse. He misses her being at home with him and misses the conversations they used to have. He is lonely at home these days and goes to bed each night alone. He sits with Irene just to be with her, to try and give her a sense of belonging even though they are apart more than together.

I watch Harold and it is then that you begin to see what is meant in the marriage vows: “until death due you part.”

I think any couple considering marriage should go and find a “Harold and Irene” and understand what a commitment is.

Ecc 9:9

The Honor of Time

Yesterday was the 4th of July, a day when we celebrate the birth of the USA . The celebrations usually entail getting together with friends and family for BBQs and attending parades and other festivities.

I was part of a parade again, walking with a group supporting my brother-in-law that is an elected official. I love being in parades and ‘smoozing’ the crowd along the way. This year was a little different for me , I spent a good part of the parade holding back tears. Not tears of sadness but tears of thankfulness and honor. This year we were placed in the parade right behind a flat bed truck carrying approximately a dozen WWII veterans.

I would be walking along and all of a sudden you would hear the applause start, the people seated in chairs at the side of the road would stand and honor these men for all that they did for this country. You would see the Vietnam vet standing in salute with tears in their eyes.

I had a chance to chat briefly with these men all whom are well into their 90’s and all who you could see were blessed to be part of this great country.

If only we could take the time the other 364 days of the year to honor those men and women with our time, just time to have a cup of coffee or a brief visit. Find a Veteran and find out their name and give them the honor of some time.


Philippians 2:29