PAGES Fall 2006
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MARP PAGES Fall 2006 |
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Editorial, Fall 2006 issue of PAGES:
"Looking Around Me"
"Hm! A lot of water has gone over the dam." I am quoting a Papa-ism. I recall this saying used as a hedge against endless curiosity and to emphasize time's perspective. "What really did happen then, Papa?" Or a more complicated query: "Papa, why did that happen?" I can see the tired twinkle in my father's eyes as he got ready to tell a little more of "the story." I understand the hedge. We can only "live one day at a time" - a Mama-ism.
I "look around" lately as through a shifting kaleidoscope of darks and brights. The warmth of family reunioning, the chill of computer dysfunction (fixed at last!), the dark of death of elderly but precious church members, the bright of birthday celebrations as my kid brother joins the "young old" at 65 and our niece "hits 30!" The water flows on.
We welcome new families at church; join the congregation in creating its "community park;" gather at a nearby campground with old and young to play, to go fishing, to eat (some stay to sleep) and to enjoy the Bible together. A former member, Ted* (alone on the stage) acts out the familiar stories lacing them with laughter and learning. Later at another retreat for older adults, a trio - Brubaker, Caskey and Dyck - challenge us with drama, song and story to tell our own faith stories "to the children." A MARP board session follows - with two new members officially coming "on board."
And we move - from the "Lapp homestead" where Sam was born and where we lived for 30 years with our three children. A lot of water over the dam! Packing, discarding, handing on, living amid boxes, cleaning, clipping, fixing, tossing, stowing, and finally - weary of decision-making, but feeling substantially lighter - moving to a smaller house nearby. Neighbors welcome us; birds flit and chirp through the thicket beyond our windowed deck overlooking the lovely pond favored by flocks of Canadian geese. They do migrate, don't they?! As we settle in and learn where the breakfast dishes are now and even begin "having company," this is home.
The SOOP tour through south Texas was one planned for months. I join Arloa and Melissa of Elkhart and Carolyn of Winnipeg to explore needs and short-term service opportunities in San Antonio, Waco, and Brownsville. Much to learn and welcoming folks to meet. We consult about this creative project which encourages older adults to share friendship, faith and life skills to others while "on the way." After years of sending volunteers to Texas, we gain new perspective.
I am awake on Sunday at 8 o'clock, packing up. It is soon time for breakfast. We plan to attend the morning worship service at San Antonio Mennonite before flying home. My cell phone rings.
Our older son, Tony, has finally reached me in Texas and his news is not good. The baby they had expected to arrive in January needs immediate delivery by C-section as his mother, our daughter-in-law, suffers severe reaction to the toxins of "preeclampsia." I promise my son to pray and I do - all day and a lot since. I know God loves this mother and this tiny grandson.
The story is too long to tell it well here. It is more than five weeks later and our preemie grandson, Javid Fynn, has now doubled his amazing birth weight of just under one pound at 24-½ weeks. We visit our tiny new grandson in his little nest in the neonatal intensive care unit of Pennsylvania Hospital where the caregiving team has already performed miracles - closing the opening between the chambers of his wee heart, clearing his stomach, "regulating the platelets." Javid flexes his perfect little fingers and kicks his tiny feet. I tell him I love him. Something about that forehead reminds me of his daddy. Nurse Jill speaks of soon giving Javid his own "mother's milk" as his system is maturing and as Ana Lisa, thankfully, regains health. The doctors and nurses report hopeful signs to this little one's parents and both sets of grandparents - praising his "good genes" while admitting "this will be a wild ride."
Friends join in praying - we accept every offer as a source of strength. I impulsively share this personal saga with a young waitress as we travel - she listens in awe and gently pledges, "I will say a prayer for the baby." We note the comfort for Tony and Ana Lisa of having his younger brother nearby. David and Amy and little ones live within a few city blocks and give daily attention to this sudden crisis. Three-year-old Maggie offers a diaper for when Javid gets bigger! Sister Beverly travels from Indiana for a weekend show of support. Ana Lisa's parents come from Virginia. Neighbors, workmates, friends are attentive. E-mail messages bring blessing.
Baby Javid - the name means "living" and is borrowed with hope and love from a friend's native language. Describing their emotional ups and downs on the website Tony updates regularly for family and friends, he quotes the sustaining words, "This too shall pass." It reminds me of Papa's line about water flowing "over the dam." How will we look back on this some day? Hopefully, with stronger faith and clearer understanding.
Meanwhile Sam and I first receive Glen and Marilyn Miller into our home for a week and then follow through with a shortened house swap planned earlier. We live a week in their home in Goshen while sharing time with family there. The Millers have lent comfort and medical knowledge at this time of need. We hear Glen (now back in Goshen) is recovering from heart surgery - suddenly needed - another wild ride. The election brings intensity and leaves surprise. Office duties pile up, SOOP volunteers plan to serve, and PAGES is delayed. The water flows on.
* "Ted & Lee" (a drama/comedy duo) live in Harrisonburg, VA, and share "God's laughter". Will travel!
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