I noticed her sitting there at Gate B3, when she told an airline employee that her son was coming to pick her up. We were sitting at a departure gate, waiting for the plane that would carry us across the country. I have three sons, she said, with her hand pressed to her forehead, I just can’t remember the name of the one who’s coming to get me.
The attendant asked to see her boarding pass. They dug through bags together to find the piece of paper that held information that the woman couldn’t hold in her mind.
I want to go home, she announced. She turned to those seated near her and gestured with age-spotted hands to the crowds of people rushing past. Do you know where all these people are going?
After the attendant looked at her computer, she nodded knowingly, and in a few minutes the pilot came out, gathering the woman and her things to put them on the plane. She followed him like an obedient child, with no notion of where she was going.
When we landed, the pilot came to hold her hand and her bags. He told her where she was.
I felt pity for her as she was led off of the plane in her confused state, searching for the son who might be there to get her, knowing that if he did come, she wouldn’t even know his name.
As I hurried off of the plane with the other young rushers, she sat in a wheelchair manned by her unnamed son, who did come to pick her up after all. I heard his sigh. Yes, mother, we’re going to get to spend a LOT of time together. Her hands were folded neatly on top of her purse. She was smiling.
She looked oddly beautiful sitting there, peacefully accepting her utter confusion.
And, in that moment I realized that maybe I am actually the one to be pitied. I, the one who has a tendency to kick and scream like a temperamental toddler when God gathers me up to lead me into the unknown. When confusion sets in. In the where-am-I-going moments.
I want to trust God with the leading. I’m so glad I ran into her today, peaceful smiler, looking into an unknow-able future with joy. I hope she enjoys her time with her son, whatever his name is.
Thank you, Melissa. This is a beautiful illustration for what it means to trust God when the light turns green and we don’t know where we’re going. Very timely.
Thank you, Patti!
What a lovely picture. Thank you for sharing!!
Thank you, mrsdio!
Superb writing! Very insightful, full of God’s grace.
Thanks so much, Luana!
I have soo enjoyed reading your blogs recently and usually forward most of them to my 4 daughters…(although they are probably following you on their own).
The story today was so beautiful and brought back memories of my wonderful grandmother who also had Alzheimer’s.
Once my uncle (her son), who lived in California and was sure they had better health care there….came to get her and fly her back with him. He had a beard that she wasn’t used to and after the plane took off, she asked the stewardess if she could move because the man beside her was bothering her!!!!!!
Oh, to have a peaceful and obedient spirit:)
Thank you so much, Melanie! I love the story about your grandmother!
Thank you for taking the time to notice her and sharing with us. This brought tears to my eyes as I think of my both my grandmothers (now gone from this life) in their last few years. It is a good reminder for me to trust the one who hold my future even when I don’t see or fully understand where he is leading me. I know him, I can trust him because I know that he loves me and only wants the best (his glory) in my life.
Thank you, ButterflyGirl!
YOUR SWEET WRITING REMINDS ME OF HOME. MY MOM TOOK CARE OF GRANDMA AND GRANDPA FOR ABOUT 13 YEARS AFTER GRANDMA”S HEART ATTACK. WHEN I WOULD GO TO GRANDMA”S ROOM TO SAY GOOD NIGHT, SHE WOULD BE PRAYING ALOUD PSALM 103 FROM MEMORY PROBABLY LEARNED 90 YEARS PRIOR AT HER MOTHER’S KNEE IN COUNTY MONOHAN IN IRELAND, BUT GRANDPA’S BODY REMAINED STRONG ENOUGH TO WORK OUTDOORS WITH ME DOING HEAVY WORK LIKE SHOVELING GRAVEL AND PUSHING THE FULL WHEELBARROW TO THE SPOT WE WOULD FILL IN. NEARLY EVERY MORNING HE WOULD WAKE UP AND PACK SEVERAL THINGS IN A HANDKERCHIEF AND WALK OUT THE GATE TO TRY TO WALK THE 5 MILES TO TOWN. INVARIABLY MOM WOULD CATCH A GLIMPSE OF HIM AND START RUNNIG AFTER HIM. COME ON BACK, GRANDPA AND WORK ON THE RASPBERRIES. THERE IS LOTS OF WORK TO BE DONE ON THE RASPBERRIES.
Love this, Jim!
I am Jim’s daughter (above comment) and have all my nearly fifty years of life heard dear sweet stories of my great grandparents, and how my dad (Jim) loved his grandparents in their old age! I am blessed to have a rich heritage of family loving God and loving people…. good footsteps to try to follow in! I love you, Dadddy!
So sweet!!
I’m always glad when I take the time to read your stories
Thank you, Rebecca!