Wednesday, February 7, 2007

Dear God,

A winter wonderland, straight out of Currier and Ives! Snow falling, accumulating, icy roads and windows. But ever so picturesque! I wanted to play in the snow, make angels, a snowperson, just sit and watch those unique, magnificent flakes fall. But there was something I had to do first.

I had to attend a birthday party for two. I stopped at a party place for a balloon, party hats, plates, cups, napkins, gold stars, and a birthday card. Then on to Kroger for fresh blooming yellow tulips, a cake and ice cream, and sparkling grape juice. Then I drove to a local nursing home to see the birthday girl.

I carted everything in, including a camera. I wanted to capture her smile on film, put it in our church newsletter, give her a copy. When I got in the room, she was missing. At lunch, one of the nurses told me. Perfect, I thought to myself. I decorated, putting stars all around her bed. I set out the flowers and card, the cake and ice cream and the sparkling juice. I got out the paper products and straightened her bedcovers. Then I donned a brilliant green party hat. That's when an aide brought her into the room. Perfect timing!

Evadene, 91 years old (at least that's how old she thinks she is but she recently told me she would be 95) was surprised and happy! I put a gold hat on her head to match the gold stars displayed on the bulletin board behind her bed. Then I poured a little bubbly and we toasted to her birthday. The aide took our picture. We had so much fun together. Normally not one to enjoy cake, (I didn't know that ahead of time) she scarfed down the yellow cake with lemon icing (she told me she really liked it) and the ice cream. She loves ice cream. This time we had lemon sorbet. I thought yellow and gold would brighten her room and her spirits. And we like trying new ice cream each time since we both like it so well.

Then I sang to her, the German song I learned in Italy. However, I sang it in English. "To you I sing, and happiness I bring, to celebrate your birth, an angel here on earth." She liked it so much that she asked me to sing it again. We were going to sing some hymns but she was worried about me traveling. Her window enables her to see out over a long, grassy area with beautiful trees. She could see the snow stacking up and she was afraid for me to drive so she scooted me on my way as the aide wheeled her to physical therapy. We hugged and I kissed her on her forehead as I shouted, "Happy Birthday."

The roads were treacherous as I made my way home down a county road. But I loved it, reflecting on the beauty of the wintry landscape and the beauty of the lady I left behind, bedecked in a gold party hat.

Beauty comes in different forms,
dear God,
and today I beheld two.
You bring to me an inner joy
that swells as time goes by.
Even today I smile
as I remember the beauty of yesterday.
You place before us
opportunities to draw close to you
and to others,
to things, objects, scenes
that scream out your presence.
What awesome moments are ours
as we make our way
down the path of life.
Beauty is revealed
to those who anticipate it,
believe it is there,
just waiting to be seen.
The invisible
becomes visible,
opening up a spiritual arena
where God and humans touch.
If I were an artist,
I would paint the grandest picture for you.
If I were an opera singer,
I would sing the most beautiful aria.
If I were a dancer,
I would dance, I would dance, I would dance
a dance into eternity just for you.
Gratitude,
beauty in yet another form.

Love always, Andrea