Ever Look at Your Hands?

I'll never look at my hands the same!

Grandpa, some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench. He didn't move, just sat with his head down staring at his hands. When I sat down beside him he didn't acknowledge my presence and the longer I sat, I wondered if he was OK. Finally, not really wanting to disturb him but wanting to check on him at the same time, I asked him if he was OK. He raised his head and looked at me and smiled. "Yes, I'm fine. Thank you for asking," he said in a clear strong voice. "I didn't mean to disturb you, Grandpa, but you were just sitting here staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were OK," I explained to him. "Have you ever looked at your hands," he asked. "I mean really looked at your hands?"

I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them. I turned them over, palms up and then palms down. No, I guess I had never really looked at my hands as I tried to figure out the point he was making. Grandpa smiled and related this story:

A Thief in the Night

1 Thessalonians 5:2 talks about the "day of the Lord" (punishment and/or blessing) will come like a thief in the night. That scripture has been on my mind lately, when Christ will judge sin and set up his eternal Kingdom. We had an unfortunate event in our family with my father-in-law who fell and received a brain bleed. He is 85 years old and has been living alone for approximately 17 years. He has been in ICU for a week and a half and just recently we had him moved in a rehabilitation hospital. This event has changed our lives and as well as all of his immediate family. From our experience with this, I have one thing to say to anyone who has elderly parents. Get involved! Know where they bank, where they keep important papers, and by all means offer to help them. My husband (he is the eldest, only one other brother) did not expect for this to happen so suddenly: like a thief in the night! Doctors kept asking them if he had a living will or power of attorney. We had to go to the house on a scavenger hunt until we were able to locate the living will. We realized how unprepared we were for such a sad event. Please don't wait for you to get prepared. Write down the information where you can locate it when needed. Don't wait until they get too old to remember and answer your questions. I pray this will inspire someone to get prepared and enjoy your aging parents NOW!