The night before…
Me:   “How are you Ms. M, do you need me to do anything for you?”
Ms. M:   (pause and gazing at me) says, “hmm… I don’t think so?” and continues to watch her show on TV.

The next day…
Ms. M:   (stepping out of her bedroom all dressed and she says) “…I heard a noise last night and I think I saw someone come to my room.”
Me:   “Oh good morning Ms. M, I hope you slept well? That must have been the resident staff who came to check on you.”

Ms. M:   “Why? To see if I am dead or alive?”
Me:   (trying not to laugh, I say) “Ms. M, I think they just want to make sure you are ok.  Although, you have private hire, the staff in the building also have to do their own job.”

Ms. M:   (paused for a few seconds) “Hmmm…well, I think it’s stupid! How would she know if I am ok, when she did not even come close to check if I was breathing!”
Me:   (this time laughing, I say) “You are actually right, but I guess she just did not want to wake you up.”

Ms. M:  “Exactly my point! So what is the purpose of her coming into my room uninvited to check on me? I could be dead and lying down and she wouldn’t know!”
Me:   “That is why I am here as well to make sure you are safe.”

Ms. M:   “Well, I don’t really think it’s needed. I should be free to live and die whenever I want.”
Me:   “I understand Ms. M and you are right!  However, your family really wants you to be safe and not have another fall in the meantime. Remember the last fall? You got hurt really bad and had to get stitches on your head.”

Ms. M:   “Of course I remember, it is my head!”
Me:   (Trying to control my outburst of laughter)

I digress…

So, I spend time with seniors occasionally (through volunteer and my work); and this was one of those moments. I thought to myself, I have to share this, perhaps it can brighten someone’s day just as it did for me.

*Ms. M (not actual initial) is in her 80s and lives in a resident home…*

For the one out there who feels like they can’t go on any longer. I urge you to hold on and know that you are not alone. Although things seems dull right now, I pray that you can still spot that ray of light even in the little things. For me that is meditating on God’s Word, writing, dancing (more on that later) or just being around things that makes me laugh out loud! Just like Ms. M. who brightened my day even without her realizing it.

The picture above was taken from my balcony at the time. Looking at it again reminded me of the true Light of the World (Jesus) who came to give us peace. Let His light shine through the darkness you are facing. Seek help if you have to, talk to someone if you have to, but know that the most important thing is that you are able to step out of the darkness and into the light!

John 1:3-5 NIV
“[3] Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. [4] In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. [5] The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

Revelation 22:5 NIV
“There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.”

Isaiah 9:2 ESV
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.”

Be well…

The Best is Yet To Come…