March 3

AN UNFORGETTABLE FALL DAY

     It was a wonderful autumn Monday, the 24^th of September 2007, like so many others in this beautiful area.  As I watched a glorious sunrise I thanked God for another day and all the blessings He has bestowed on our family.  Then my regular routine began with a 3 mile walk, phone calls, appointments, letter writing, etc.

    As the day came to a close and darkness descended, I was preparing to relax and unwind after a busy day.  Again, I was grateful that we had chosen not to have television here - an unnecessary intrusion (for us).  The restorative quality of absolute silence is amazing - always!

    Then I felt an insistent urge to talk with our 104 year old friend Lina in Exeter, NH.  We hadn’t spoken for over a week and she got a little anxious when she hadn’t heard from “her best friends in Florida” for awhile.  Knowing that most nights Lina watched TV until 11 PM or later, I decided that it wasn’t too late to call her - about 10:15 PM EST.

    She answered and was her usual exuberant self and we chatted about our activities.  Her recent highlight was a Church supper, two days earlier in Hampton NH with a mutual friend.  Her favorite pastimes were going out to eat (with no dietary restrictions) and attending Boston Pops concerts!

    After discussing our families and her cataract surgery, I finally asked, “How are you feeling these days, Lina?”  She responded, “I’ve got a pain in my chest now”, then she gave a little gasp followed by total silence.  I waited briefly, then tried calling back but got a busy signal.

    Since I had been a charge nurse in the facility where Lina had an apartment, I knew how to contact the personnel there.  When they checked on her, she sat peacefully in her rocking chair with the phone in her lap.  God had taken our dear friend Lina home - His call had superseded ours!

    Praise be to God!

Constance Newhouse