I visited her in the assisted living home. It was cloudy and rainy outside. She sat in her rocker quietly, putting in for a long day. “There’s not much to do. My kids say they’re coming to get me or visit, but they didn’t today. Sometimes I take a nap in the afternoon.” She sighed. She was a very independent woman, but too many falls regulated her to this place. There’s nothing wrong with the place, mind you. It’s peaceful, bright and cheery, and the staff is friendly. It’s just a hard adjustment to go from independent living to a home. It’s hard to adjust when life changes.
We talked about people who have already passed and visiting them in the local cemetery. She said, “I’d like to be buried when the time comes. I don’t want to get burned up.” I agreed. I understand that more people these days get cremated, and I think it’s mostly for financial reasons, but I would recommend burial. It’s a more Biblical picture for a believer and follower of Jesus to be buried and rise on the day of His return; not that that won’t happen if you get cremated, it just looks different. These are things you start to think about more when you’re older and in a home, I guess.
We read and prayed through verses from Psalm 37. I assured her, “Delight herself in the Lord and He would give her the desires of her heart. God will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him. Your steps are established by the Lord when you delight in His way; though you fall, you shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds your hand. Turn away from evil and do good; so shall you dwell forever. For the Lord loves justice; he will not forsake his saints. You are preserved forever because the righteous shall inherit the land and dwell upon it forever.”
Then it was time for lunch, and time for me to go. We held hands and prayed for a blessing on her and her family and new surroundings. We praised God for long life and knowing so many people, and the blessings of knowing those who had passed on. We were thankful for the home and prayed for her to be able to adjust. I told her to “hang in there” and Jesus loves her. It was a good visit.