Friday, October 5, 2012

Making Memorable Days

My daughter, Mary, who is totally blind, was so excited this morning that she could barely eat. Her friend that she has been longing to see that lives in another town is coming over later today. I'm speaking of her friend, Bob, whose Seeing Eye dog died at the beginning of August.

Mary called him to console him, and "hold his hand" over the phoneas she puts it. She also sang a song over the phone to him because we had heard he was inconsolable when his dog "Devon" died rather suddenly after being diagnosed with bone cancer. 

I was in the adjoining room, and I suddenly heard her singing...

I believe in the sun, even when it's not shining. 
I believe in love even when feeling it not. 
I believe in God even when God is silent. 
I believe.

Somehow I wasn't surprised that Mary was singing to comfort him!
  
Devon was a 110 pound Bernese Mountain dog. All of these puppies below are future Seeing Eye dogs in training for their life's purpose! I've decided these must be Christian dogs because they live to serve someone else!!! 
How adorable are they?

Today we'll meet "Nero"—Bob's new guide dog!

It also just happens to be Mary's "half" birthday today, 15 1/2—so we're doubling up and having a "half" celebration. We're going to have "half" a cake to celebrate, with "half" a glass of punch. I'm making lunch for all of us. I just made the salad and after I finish writing you, I'm heading to the back porch to grill the chicken to put in the salad. (If any Capital Women leaders from our Bible study are reading.... I'll be making this exact lunch for you week after next!) I'll update this blog later today with some pictures (you help me keep a scrapbook!)

Mary's so excited she said, "Let's don't put on Mark Zeeman, let's put on Pandora!" (I often play Mark Z. often when we have company, but Mary wants to pick out something different today for her big day of seeing Bob!)

Mary recently helped me with my priorities. We were all set to go to see my friend's son get baptized in the ocean last Sunday morning on the east coast—along with a group of people that were going to be baptized in the Altlantic Ocean surf. That morning it was colder than usual, and it even looked like rain was coming. I was on day 8 of having larygitis and even though we had already driven out of town to go, I told Mary we weren't going because it was cold. Mary spoke next.

"You aren't going to support your friend Brenda because it's cold outside? That wouldn't stop me from seeing my friend Bob!"

"Mary, we're going!" I immediately replied.

Out of the mouth of babes.

We left in five minutes. I didn't need the blanket, towels and two jackets I brought. Didn't even need my sweater. The sun popped out right in the middle of the baptisms! That's Mary in the bottom left corner in the white sweater and pink-flowery skirt. You can see a woman getting baptized beside the man in the red shirt and the man in no shirt! And look at the sunshine!!!
We were the ones blessed to witness so many people making a public profession of their faith and getting dunked in the ocean in obedience to Christ's call on their lives! 

One more thing I wanted to tell you. Mary doesn't see age either—Bob is 69!

See you back here later, for the pics! And I want to add one thing about Bob, gotta cook the chicken!!! Update: I just added the pics! Enjoy!
Bob is here!!! His dog is not Nero, it's DJ!!
He knew he had bonded with D.J. when he awoke at 3 am to DJ licking his face!

DJ led Bob up our basement stairs.

DJ was so good while Bob and Mary talked.

The young man on the left is Bob's driver, Dustin.

We don't normally celebrate 1/2 birthdays, but since Bob was
coming it was a good reason to celebrate. I got the cake 1/2 price! (not kidding!)

We played a musical candle that played happy birthday, but the battery was about to die.
The music sounded distorted. We said it was only "halfway" working & laughed!
Mary led us in singing "welcome to Bob" to the tune of Happy Birthday.

Bob got choked up and Mary reached over to hold his hand.
It was such a tender moment, I put my phone on silent so it wouldn't click.

Happy "Half" Birthday Mary! I love being your mom!

We have this moment to hold in our hand,
And to touch as it slips through our fingers like sand.
Yesterday's gone and tomorrow may never come,
But we have this moment today.
~William & Gloria Gaither

"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."
~Proverbs 17:17 (NIV)

"A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need."
~Proverbs 17:17 (NLT)

"Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn."
~Romans 12:15
Walk by Faith,

4 comments:

  1. The song was touchy.......and Bob's age made me smile......

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  2. Hi Kenneth! I should have said that she did not make the song up! She had learned it. I just loaded the pics, she had such a great day, she's on cloud nine!

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  3. What a wonderful post!! ow special in every way!! Loved it all!!

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    Replies
    1. I'm so glad you were here to read it Brenda! The Baptism was such a joy to witness as was learning from my Mary!

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