“Rejoice in The Lord always.”

“PTL: Praise the Lord.”  Sandy

“GIBM:  God is blessing me.” Sandy

Sandy is a corker, a crackerjack, a whirling dervish of delight.  She’s a bundle of joy that is constantly moving and in motion.  Sandy is a diminutive woman, standing five feet tall on her tiptoes.  She might weigh a hundred pounds dripping wet. Though small in stature, she has a heart bigger than she is.  Of Swedish origin (she still cooks ethnic dishes) she is the Scandinavian version of the Energizer Bunny. 

I first met Sandy, and her beloved husband Larry, at an all-day event for seniors, at which I was representing the Alzheimer’s Association.  I was about to enter the men’s bathroom when I heard this voice behind me, “Excuse me sir, would you help my husband into the bathroom?”  It was Sandy, standing behind a wheelchair in which her husband Larry was sitting.  Larry, formerly very healthy and quite athletic, had been stricken by Parkinson’s disease.  Sandy had become his caregiving wife, doing so with love, affection, and dedication.  Taken by surprise, I nonetheless complied.  It was a bonding moment with both.

Our paths wouldn’t cross again until four years later.  I had begun filling in at a small church in Allenspark, CO, another result of being involved with people in the Alzheimer’s world. Imagine my surprise when just moments prior to the beginning of the service I saw Sandy pushing Larry up the sidewalk toward the charming little cabin-like mountain church!  Sandy invited me over for dinner, and thus began an ongoing relationship with both. 

Larry’s health continued to deteriorate, and In October of last year he was graciously freed from his broken body.  I was there by his bedside when he breathed in his last.  It was a touching scene, for only minutes before, unable to speak, his eyes had focused above and beyond, as if he was looking into eternity.  He reached his hand upward, as though to grasp the hand of someone who was reaching out to him.  His funeral, at which I had the privilege of presiding, was held at the historical Swedish church which Sandy so loved.

Thus came to an end Sandy’s life as caregiving wife, but she pivoted nicely into being a caregiver for others.  That’s who Sandy is; A Giver.  She gives little gift bags to those who need encouragement.  She gives herself to others by visiting those who are sick, suffering, or unable to leave their homes.  Recently she took one of her wheelchair bound friends to lunch and then to get her ears pierced.  She sends greeting cards on behalf of the church to those who are grieving the death of a loved one or in need of some extra encouragement.  She recently gave me a small heart made in Israel of olive wood. This past week she spent a number of days sitting by the bed of a dying friend. For St. Patrick’s Day she provided all of the food for the fellowship time following the church service.  And the best part is she was dressed entirely in green. She looked like a little Leprechaun!

Sandy is a lovely, lovely, person.  She lives out her faith in a humble and genuine way.  Those “sayings” of Sandy, which she abbreviates in her texting, do not sound cliché coming from her.  They are heartfelt and spoken and written with sincerity and deep meaning. She loves being in church, taking copious notes in her bulletin.  She is frequently touched by The Spirit, evidenced in her tears either of joy or sorrow.  She unashamedly shares her love for God and others, but not in a proselytizing or manipulative kind of way, but sincerely and authentically.

Sandy is an inspiration.  She is something.  And at times she is something else!  She is a gift. Yes, God is blessing Sandy, and doing so in such a way that she is a blessing to others.