Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Make Time Today

Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me. -- Psalm 71:18

One of my favorite people in the world is my cousin. She’s my second-cousin, for those who keep up with such things. She’s passed the big 80 mark, uses oxygen to help her breath most of the time, and is so tiny and frail that I just know a large blast of wind would blow her away.

I love spending time with her. We never seem to run out of things to talk about. We share so much -- family, faith, interests. Well, some interests. She sort of shakes her head when it comes to that hot pink, acid green and vibrant turquoise side of me. And that’s okay. We get a good laugh out of it.

So why don’t I spend more time with her? Why don’t I make a point to carve out time in my busy life (who isn’t busy these days?) and just stop by to see her? Why do I procrastinate? Why do I always seem to wait for a better day or a better time?

One day she’s not going to be there anymore and no one will be able to fill that void in my life. Do you have someone like that? Everybody should, whether it’s a cousin or grandparent or elderly neighbor. These older people are treasures and we take them for granted.

Our church is starting a new ministry geared toward older adults. It’s just so sad that those who are nearing the end of their lives seem to be forgotten. Oh, most have caregivers and family members to check on them. But that doesn’t release us from our responsibility to make the effort to continue to be a part of their lives.

I learn so much from my cousin. She has so much life wisdom and her faith is so strong. She knows pain -- she’s buried a husband and a son. She knows illness -- her late husband’s Alzheimer’s, her son’s cancer and her own cancer. She knows dedication -- daily visits for years with her mother as that fine woman’s health slowly declined.

Why do we think that someone who is older no longer has anything to offer? She wishes she had the physical ability to play with her great-grandchildren. I pray that they will understand and remember this woman who loves them so much and prays for them daily.

I vowed to make some changes this year. One is to actually visit the people I mean to visit. It’s just too easy to wait for a better day, a day that never seems to come. How about you? Do you have someone who greatly desires the gift of your time? Is there someone you’ve been meaning to call? Do it today -- because tomorrow may never come.