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To love when it hurts so bad and opting out would be so much easier.

Updated on January 10, 2014

Based on a true story.

Lindsey was a close childhood friend of many years. Although Erin and Lindsey only saw each other a few times a year they stayed faithful friends. Lindsey and her family had moved two months ago to sunny California. There was a job opportunity available for Bill her husband and they jumped on it. Bills mother Celia still lived in Denver and her memory loss had been an issue for a time.

Bill called on Erin concerned because his mom seemed to be declining. He asked her if she would be willing to stop in and check on his mother a couple of times per week. He was willing to pay $50 a week, to do so. Lindsey opted to stay out of the agreement between Erin and Bill. Lindsey had cared for Celia's business dealings over the years and Erin knew she was all to happy to let this go into her husbands hands.

Erin felt that this offer was truly a God send. She sincerely wished she did not need to take the money but the opportunity came at a very difficult time in their lives. What harm could come from stepping in a couple of times per week and check on dear Celia? Erin had known Celia through the years and found her to be a spunky, tiny woman full of life, giving and kind. Celia was no larger then a minute. She was a wee 4''5" and all of 90 pounds. She took good care of herself and dressed with class and dignity. She was a wise and smart woman and a delight to speak with. Celia had lost her job over a year ago. The large retail corporation asked her to resign saying her memory was getting to be an issue. Celia flat out denied this notion and managed to fight it for a time. The whole idea infuriated her and she gave the company a run for their money. After all she was a dedicated, dependable, honest employee for 12 years. She rarely missed a day and worked extra hours and holidays regardless of her 78 years of age. She could run circles around many of the younger ones. She took her position in the jewelry department very seriously. She was a star employee and loved by all, except corporate. The company finally made her a ridiculously small offer to leave.

Celia had lost her husband 14 years ago and moved on in life, full throttle. Her two sons and only grandson lived near and for her that was a reason to keep on and live. Celia started going to church and met a host of woman and men who loved the Lord. She was born into the family of God, saved and had the light of Jesus Christ in her.

Erin spoke with Celia at Bill and Lynsey's going away party. Celia had brought her home made pies pecan. lemon chiffon and apple. She was quite the cook and baker and went to extra lengths to prepare the best. Erin did notice a few moments of repeated questions but took it lightly. She believed it to be normal given Celia's age. Erin detected a grave sadness in Celia's pale blue eyes. Not only was her son moving with his wife but her only grandson was moving along with them. Landon was her pride and joy. Celia and her husband nearly raised him when he was young while the parents worked. Now he was 24 years old, strong and extremely handsome. He wanted to check out sunny California with his parents. Celia was a trooper and stood tall but Erin could see she was lonesome for them already. Erin gave Celia her phone number and told her to call if she ever needed anything and promised to stop in to visit when she could.

Erin had managed one visit since the move. To her surprise and delight Celia had made a new friend. Erin was extremely grateful because it helped to ease her guilt feelings for not stopping in sooner. A woman and her boyfriend had moved into the apartment building over a month ago. She was about Erin's age and was willing to help Celia with anything since she was not working. Erin met her briefly when she stopped for a visit and felt the woman was very fond of Celia and more then willing to befriend and help her. Erin was not convinced of her motives but kept to herself. Celia was surely competent to discern and Erin was not about to open a can of worms and make judgment, yet.



Knocking on Heavens door.

He carries us when we cannot stand.
He carries us when we cannot stand. | Source

God, the only guarantee.

Little did Erin know that her life was about to change. God had called on her to help Celia and for that Erin was sure. Michael, Erin's husband knew better then Erin that this was going to be a huge challenge, indeed. Most times Gods work is not easy. Fortunately our Gracious God tells us that the day will have enough cares of its own and not to worry about tomorrow. There is not a much better way to take one from self or self pity or self seeking motives then to help another. Erin's difficulties were not staring her in the face now. God in His grace was taking care of those difficulties and placed Erin in another position for His purpose and Glory. Erin had her hands full. Not only did Celia have a memory lapse known as dementia she liked her zinfandel wine, allot.There were days Erin would find her precious friend inebriated with Celia's new found friend in the apartment.

Alcohol expedited the illness and before long Erin was now Celia's legal guardian. There were days Erin wanted to quit this job.The money stopped long ago. Money would not pay enough she thought. She wanted to tear out her hair on many days. Denial was a main symptom of all Celia's problems. Yet she would give one the shirt from her back if she like you. Her heart was warm and big as long as no one told her she was ill. Erin was given a gift of discernment and Celia held Erin in high respect and regard. That was a huge Blessing and Erin knew it was nothing she did. It was everything God did.

Soon Celia was in an assisted living home and urging Erin to get her home to her apartment. She was capable and more then able to manage everything. Celia gained some much needed weight. Soon she forgot how many days she had been there. She never forgot that zinfandel wine though and always urged Celia to bring her a glass or two or three. On occasion Erin would take Celia to lunch and let her indulge in a glass. Celia was not to tell anyone but she forgot. Oh boy the two of them got into big trouble with the Medicate System, Doctors and Celia's two sons. The girls laughed like small children. Over a glass of wine, they chuckled.

The assist living lasted for six months until the team decided Celia got lost one to many times. Celia had walked to WalMart, loaded her cart to the nines and took her check book along. She did not sign out. She was gone for hours. Erin was called and when she got to the assist living Celia had just returned. She had pushed that cart over one mile, full to the brim on a cool, crisp and windy March day. That little lady spent close to $300 she did not have, on little stuff like paper, pens, stuffed bears, and easter items for children. Oh that was a huge fiasco for Erin to repair. Her sons were not at all happy to cough up money for their moms whim so her rent would be covered.

Soon after Celia's youngest son and family returned. 'Not a moment to late,' thought Erin. She was all to grateful to hand Celia to her son. Her life seemed like a mesh of craziness over the last 14 months. God had carried her, Erin was eternally grateful for Celia. Her wisdom and humor was a beautiful gift to behold. Erin was truly Blessed and honored to love this spunky, tiny, powerhouse of a woman and to be loved like a princess by Celia. Gods hand was on these two. He had it all covered.

You will get chills! Halleluiah.

The gift.

Erin pushed the button on the hospital elevator. She chuckled. Oh my did we go through a few 'pickles', she thought. She knew this would be her last visit. Celia got pneumonia in the nursing home and it did not get better. The Doctors told the family it would not be long. Erin's heart fell to her tummy. Celia was a dear and special friend, an angel and a sister in Christ and much like the mother she lost 28 years ago. Celia lost a daughter to a sudden illness. Her daughter was only 12. Erin was the same age today as Celia's daughter would be. God put these two together to give to them a love that no one else could dream up except Almighty God. They knew it and the love between them grew in the love of Jesus Christ. There were days they would spend hours hours talking about Jesus. Celia knew her Lord God loved her. She knew she would depart to Heaven. She knew she would see her beloved daughter and husband again. Erin was so happy for her, she was going to depart this planet to be with Jesus. She fought the good fight. She kept on and on. She took no regards that it was her strength but the strength of Her Savior. Erin would dearly miss her precious friend and would see her again. The peace of God was on her.

Erin walked in to see a new room mate. A heavy set woman was in the bed next to her Celia. She was swearing like a drunken sailor. Anyone that walked by was attacked by her vile mouth. Erin found it hard to believe a woman this age was so hardened. She glanced into Erin's eyes and Erin startled nearly tripped backward over a chair.' Watch your step child. You will fall all over the sick and dying.' Erin pulled the curtain between the beds.

Her precious Celia looked so very tiny. Erin reached for her hand and squeezed it tight. 'Hi angel, it is me Erin.' Celia opened her eyes and smiled. Her little fingers gripped Celia's. Erin thought she may loose it there, in a bucket of tears. Her legs were shaky. She quickly pulled up a chair. Celia drifted. Erin whispered prayers at the bed side. When Celia opened her eyes Erin asked her what Psalm she would like to hear. To her amazement Celia spoke, "Psalm 91" Erin knew this was God. Tears glided down her cheeks and into her blouse while she read. Celia reached up and said, ' do not cry, I will be with the Lord. I am not afraid.' Holding back tears Erin pulled out Celia's favorite lotion Jasmine and rubbed it onto Celia's little legs, arms and hands. Celia drifted again. Erin sat dazed for what seemed like only minutes but looking at her clock an hour had past. Celia opened her eyes. Erin whimpered, 'I love you tiny lady, I gotta go now. I will see you soon'' Celia whispered, ' I love you my child go now to take care of your family.'

Erin's body was similar to a wet noodle. She pulled open the curtain. The mouthy woman blurted out, 'Can this Jesus help me?' 'Why yes I believe He can,' whispered Erin while heading out the door. She felt like she was standing and a large hand was holding her in place at the door way. 'Child do not talk so soft, I am an old woman. I want you to tell me about this Jesus. I want what she has. She has hope and I have none. I am dying so is she, she has hope. I want hope.'

Erin pulled up a chair and not real thrilled to do so. 'Lord I need to get out of here,' she thought. Stopped in her thoughts, Erin asked the Lord to forgive her. 'This woman needs to get out of here, saved and not doomed to the pit of hell.' After an hour of sharing the Love of Jesus Christ, May Louise accepted Jesus Christ into her heart as Lord and Saviour of her life. May Louise was now born again and a Child of Almighty God. May Louise wanted to be Baptized. Erin said she would find the chaplain. The nurses assured Erin the Chaplain would be up soon. Erin went to the room again and told May Louise she would be Baptized soon. Erin hugged May Louise then walked to give her precious Celia another kiss on the cheek. Celia opened her eyes and smiled. She had a tear in each eye. She knew.

Sometimes we are put in difficult situations. Gods children are not promised an easy life with no obstacles. We will have unfavorable situations to face. Think about Jesus. He went out of His way for all sinners. He came for all of the WORLD. John 3:16 We are all sinners, every last one of us. Jesus Christ came for each one of us. Children of God are to commissioned to proclaim the Gospel message. We got Him we received Him, we were pulled from the pits on earth to hell and were saved through Jesus Christ. We have the assurance of Eternal Life In the Glory of Christ. We are saved from our sin and made righteous by the Blood of Jesus, who died a brutal and horrid death for us on Calvary. 'Jesus overcame for US.' John 16:33

Erin's precious Celia passed on about a week later in her sleep. The silver cord was severed. Ecclesiasties 12:6 Celia is now with Jesus Christ. Erin will know her in Heaven. Erin called the nurses station the evening she left Celia's side. May Louise had been water Baptized and proclaimed her faith in Jesus an hour after Erin left. 'She seems like a new woman,' the nurse told her. 'She no longer swears at the nurses. In fact it was like she put on a new set of pajamas. She was ALL heart.'

There is one that can fix a broken heart or heal a broken leg. He is Jesus Christ. No one goes to the Father God except through Jesus Christ. John 14:6 If you do not know Him it is not to late. Do not be to late.

God is Love beyond Reason. He works in all concerned. Our Sovereign Lord. He knows what He does. How could one deny His Holy and Glorious Name? Oh, Wondrous, Eternal God; The Prince of Peace. The Light. Breath of Living Water. 'The Way, The Truth and The Life.' John 14:6 Oh, Praise to the King of Kings.

John 3:16 Romans 10::9-10

May God Bless you and make His face to shine favor on you and yours. Love, Skye

I left you a video above to listen too. You will indeed be blessed. In Honor and gratitude to my dear and precious Celia and all Glory to our Lord Jesus Christ.

© Copyright 2011 Skye Tudae

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