Death’s angel knocks
on every earthly door
Sometime.
Even the homeless are roused
as their time draws near.
The knock begins at birth
Keeping time with the heart.
The knock is so gentle
Many claim they never hear it.
Was it the ears that failed?
Or a fear of meeting
the knocker?
Death’s angel does not come
to frighten us,
But to befriend us,
And show us the way.
We’ll all need her guidance
because in the new life
all is changed.
Those who’d struggled
in a life of poverty and want
Will be led to homes
of blessing and joy
And all those accustomed
To blessing and joy
Will find themselves
in Heaven’s slums,
Surrounded by fear and prejudice.
Glorious life after death
For those who can adjust
To this other-worldly plan,
Promising a future
of justice and equality.
13July2020 - mshr
Monday, July 13, 2020
Friday, July 10, 2020
Curbside Concert
The hours of self-imposed isolation during a pandemic move very slowly. They crawl even more slowly through the aches of age such as impaired eyesight, breathing problems, and the resistance of uncooperative joints.
So we were delighted when we heard of a new program being offered by the local Arts Council. A friend nominated me to be a recipient and I was chosen to receive a “Curbside Concert.”
At 3:00 pm on a recent Sunday afternoon, a pick-up truck pulled into the parking area in our little condo village and the passenger stepped out. In the bed of the truck he set up a large speaker connected by Bluetooth to an iPad which held accompaniment tracks for his music. Then from the back seat, he took out a tenor saxophone. For the next half hour we, and a few of our neighbors, were entertained by some beautiful music on that instrument that had come to visit us. That genial musician had chosen music wisely for his aging audience. Our ears rejoiced at the sound of “Somewhere over the Rainbow,” “Danny Boy,” and other soothing ballads from an age when music sounded like music rather than disorganized noise.
About 3:30 p.m. the musician packed up, waved “goodbye” to his audience and took off for his next gig. What a delightful way to spend some of those pesky pandemic hours!
10 July 2020 - mshr
So we were delighted when we heard of a new program being offered by the local Arts Council. A friend nominated me to be a recipient and I was chosen to receive a “Curbside Concert.”
At 3:00 pm on a recent Sunday afternoon, a pick-up truck pulled into the parking area in our little condo village and the passenger stepped out. In the bed of the truck he set up a large speaker connected by Bluetooth to an iPad which held accompaniment tracks for his music. Then from the back seat, he took out a tenor saxophone. For the next half hour we, and a few of our neighbors, were entertained by some beautiful music on that instrument that had come to visit us. That genial musician had chosen music wisely for his aging audience. Our ears rejoiced at the sound of “Somewhere over the Rainbow,” “Danny Boy,” and other soothing ballads from an age when music sounded like music rather than disorganized noise.
About 3:30 p.m. the musician packed up, waved “goodbye” to his audience and took off for his next gig. What a delightful way to spend some of those pesky pandemic hours!
10 July 2020 - mshr
Sunday, June 7, 2020
Fresh Air Kids
My anti-racism training began early. I must have been only about six or seven years old during the summers when my parents hosted several little black girls from a nearby city. (The term “African-American” was not in common use in the 1940’s or 50’s.) During several summers, these new friends spent a week or two on our little farm with our family as some of their city neighborhood children spent time on the farms of other members of our church.
None of the children had ever been on a farm before. So we called them the “fresh air kids.” None of us had ever had the chance to make interracial friendships.
So it was a learning experience for all of us as well as a vacation for the “fresh air kids.”
Most of the time they followed us around and helped with our normal farm chores: feeding the chickens and gathering the eggs, walking back to the pasture to help us bring the cow up for her evening milking, feeding the pigs, pulling weeds in the garden, freezing or canning fresh garden produce, helping fix meals and wash the dishes.
Most of the time they followed us around and helped with our normal farm chores: feeding the chickens and gathering the eggs, walking back to the pasture to help us bring the cow up for her evening milking, feeding the pigs, pulling weeds in the garden, freezing or canning fresh garden produce, helping fix meals and wash the dishes.
Some of us planned special excursions with our new friends. Our family took them with us to the zoo and art museum in nearby cities and the public library in our local small town. Of course they accompanied us to church and Sunday School and any church events during the time they were with us.
But around the planned events, there was plenty of time to become friends and ask many innocent and child-like questions. From questions such as “Are collard greens something like golf greens?” or “You have two pairs of shoes, even in the summer?”
We learned a lot about our differing lifestyles and cultures.
Sunday was home going day for all the guests as their hosts returned them to the downtown city church that had coordinated the program. This downtown black city church was an active member of the Council of Churches which had developed the “fresh air kids” as an outreach program to their own communities.
There were many mixed feelings on homecoming day: thanks for new friends and new experiences, a new feeling of security with people different than themselves, fun in new places, homesickness overcome (perhaps), the similarities between people that are hidden behind differences.
Mixed feelings, indeed, but not as vicious as those that have erupted on city streets in 2020. Has it been the passage of 70 years that has made the difference or the perspective of a child?
7 June 2020 - mshr
Friday, April 24, 2020
A Year with Hospice Care
On April 16 we celebrated one year of hospice care for MarySue - a year marked with some anxious moments but with even more moments of joy, happiness, togetherness, and blessings.
We have both commented frequently that when MarySue signed the Hospice papers a year ago neither of us expected that she would still be alive one year later.
We rejoice that not only is she still with us, but that she is still able to enjoy life and continue to do some of the things that make her life meaningful, including listening to audio books and coordinating the Prayer Team of our church.
There were several times during the past year when the future for MarySue seemed rather limited - such as when there were infections, etc. Also we have seen several times when her need for oxygen has increased. However in the past three months her oxygen needs have remained quite steady.
The past year has been marked by a lot of togetherness which has brought much joy to both of us. Granted, caring for the activities of daily living has consumed much time and energy, but we do enjoy each other’s company even when doing the mundane daily tasks of dressing, caring for oxygen equipment, etc.
But there have been other enjoyable experiences also. A special treat for both of us has been afternoon car rides seeing the sights and becoming better acquainted with the environs of Columbus and Franklin County. We have discovered the beauty of many of the Franklin County Metro Parks, enjoyed the scenery of the Scioto River Valley, the Alum Creek Dam, the Olentangy River, and the environs of the Hoover Reservoir.
On the tenth of March we enjoyed celebrating MarySue’s 80th birthday online with a Zoom party with online guests from around the United States and across the globe. Soon afterward we made the difficult decision to discontinue the use of outside caregivers and to self-isolate to avoid the risk of infection with the coronavirus. So in the month since March 17 we have had only two outsiders in our home and they were hospice staff on a required visit and they were wearing masks. Other than that visit, hospice care is currently being done through phone calls and Zoom video conferencing.
MarySue does enjoy trying to function as independently as possible, even though much of the time she needs to rely on assistance.
The arrival of warmer weather means that it is easier for us to get out of doors. MarySue enjoys walking eight to ten minutes very slowly in our Condo drive and parking areas at 15 LPM of oxygen. Frequently after she completes that walk, Bruce will help her into the wheelchair equipped with an E Tank of oxygen and Bruce will push her in the transport chair for 1 ¼ to 1 ½ miles around the neighborhood - thus getting his exercise while MarySue enjoys the sights and smells of spring.
It has been a year of hospice care and we do not know how much longer we will have together, but we have learned together to be thankful for one day at a time, to celebrate the time we have together, and to praise God for all blessings far above measure.
We have both commented frequently that when MarySue signed the Hospice papers a year ago neither of us expected that she would still be alive one year later.
We rejoice that not only is she still with us, but that she is still able to enjoy life and continue to do some of the things that make her life meaningful, including listening to audio books and coordinating the Prayer Team of our church.
There were several times during the past year when the future for MarySue seemed rather limited - such as when there were infections, etc. Also we have seen several times when her need for oxygen has increased. However in the past three months her oxygen needs have remained quite steady.
The past year has been marked by a lot of togetherness which has brought much joy to both of us. Granted, caring for the activities of daily living has consumed much time and energy, but we do enjoy each other’s company even when doing the mundane daily tasks of dressing, caring for oxygen equipment, etc.
But there have been other enjoyable experiences also. A special treat for both of us has been afternoon car rides seeing the sights and becoming better acquainted with the environs of Columbus and Franklin County. We have discovered the beauty of many of the Franklin County Metro Parks, enjoyed the scenery of the Scioto River Valley, the Alum Creek Dam, the Olentangy River, and the environs of the Hoover Reservoir.
On the tenth of March we enjoyed celebrating MarySue’s 80th birthday online with a Zoom party with online guests from around the United States and across the globe. Soon afterward we made the difficult decision to discontinue the use of outside caregivers and to self-isolate to avoid the risk of infection with the coronavirus. So in the month since March 17 we have had only two outsiders in our home and they were hospice staff on a required visit and they were wearing masks. Other than that visit, hospice care is currently being done through phone calls and Zoom video conferencing.
MarySue does enjoy trying to function as independently as possible, even though much of the time she needs to rely on assistance.
The arrival of warmer weather means that it is easier for us to get out of doors. MarySue enjoys walking eight to ten minutes very slowly in our Condo drive and parking areas at 15 LPM of oxygen. Frequently after she completes that walk, Bruce will help her into the wheelchair equipped with an E Tank of oxygen and Bruce will push her in the transport chair for 1 ¼ to 1 ½ miles around the neighborhood - thus getting his exercise while MarySue enjoys the sights and smells of spring.
It has been a year of hospice care and we do not know how much longer we will have together, but we have learned together to be thankful for one day at a time, to celebrate the time we have together, and to praise God for all blessings far above measure.
Saturday, April 18, 2020
COVID-19 Questions
“For God so loved the world that He…”
Whoa there, God have you had a change of heart? It certainly was not love that caused You to let loose a worldwide stampede of COVID-19! That unknown and invisible virus has infected millions of people around the world and killed thousands upon thousands. It feels more like punishment than love. What are You doing to our world? And to us?
An unfamiliar whisper responded: “I gave you a beautiful earth to live on filled with plants and animals, fish and birds. But you are ruining it. Air and water are being polluted and animals are being driven off to extinction. Mining and drilling for oil destroy much of nature’s natural beauty.”
“But me, how have I messed up the earth?” I asked.
“By your materialistic lifestyle of littering, hoarding, buying beyond your needs. You have ignored my counsel, Your worship of gold has replaced the worship of God. In many places, hatred has replaced justice for people who are different.
“You do many things that injure the earth, damage your neighbor, and hurt yourself. That grieves me as deeply as the COVID-19 grieves you! When you can answer my questions, perhaps I can answer yours.”
18 April 2020 - mshr
Whoa there, God have you had a change of heart? It certainly was not love that caused You to let loose a worldwide stampede of COVID-19! That unknown and invisible virus has infected millions of people around the world and killed thousands upon thousands. It feels more like punishment than love. What are You doing to our world? And to us?
An unfamiliar whisper responded: “I gave you a beautiful earth to live on filled with plants and animals, fish and birds. But you are ruining it. Air and water are being polluted and animals are being driven off to extinction. Mining and drilling for oil destroy much of nature’s natural beauty.”
“But me, how have I messed up the earth?” I asked.
“By your materialistic lifestyle of littering, hoarding, buying beyond your needs. You have ignored my counsel, Your worship of gold has replaced the worship of God. In many places, hatred has replaced justice for people who are different.
“You do many things that injure the earth, damage your neighbor, and hurt yourself. That grieves me as deeply as the COVID-19 grieves you! When you can answer my questions, perhaps I can answer yours.”
18 April 2020 - mshr
Friday, March 27, 2020
PANDEMIC
A worldwide invasion of humans
by a vicious and deadly virus.
In 2020,
it was one of the coronaviruses,
COVID-19.
Pandemic,
pandemeeek,
pandamnic!
Oh God, we are scared.
We are angry,
We feel trapped and helpless!
Worldwide over a million have felt its sting;
thousands have died.
It’s vicious enough to drive mass murderers
back to their hideouts
God, Creator of everything
Did You send this plaguer?
Did this invisible threat come
From Your hand?
I can’t believe that because
I’ve known Your Son
Jesus, God in the flesh.
He suffered, but never caused others to suffer.
He wept, but never caused others to weep.
He died, but never caused others to die,
And rose to give others life and peace.
No, God.
It’s not Your hand that has sent us this vicious virus.
It’s a mystery that we must learn to live with
-- focusing on the good!
27 March 2020 - mshr
by a vicious and deadly virus.
In 2020,
it was one of the coronaviruses,
COVID-19.
Pandemic,
pandemeeek,
pandamnic!
Oh God, we are scared.
We are angry,
We feel trapped and helpless!
Worldwide over a million have felt its sting;
thousands have died.
It’s vicious enough to drive mass murderers
back to their hideouts
God, Creator of everything
Did You send this plaguer?
Did this invisible threat come
From Your hand?
I can’t believe that because
I’ve known Your Son
Jesus, God in the flesh.
He suffered, but never caused others to suffer.
He wept, but never caused others to weep.
He died, but never caused others to die,
And rose to give others life and peace.
No, God.
It’s not Your hand that has sent us this vicious virus.
It’s a mystery that we must learn to live with
-- focusing on the good!
27 March 2020 - mshr
Saturday, March 21, 2020
Angels
I’ve been so blessed in my four score years.
I led a busy and happy life
Until a mean, lung freezing disease
Cut through me like a knife.
My blessings now come in secret
They are angels that fill me with awe.
They don’t have six wings as Isaiah said (Isaiah 6:1-2).
Nor the ladder Jacob saw (Genesis 28:10-19),
My angels wear T-shirts and blue jeans.
No halos adorn their mussed up hair.
No shimmering silky white robes do I see,
For they specialize in care!
If there’s anything at all that I need:
A meal, a phone call, greeting or prayer,
An angel comes quickly to do it for me,
And to overcome any despair.
An angel’s full time job, you see,
Is to care for those in pain.
They fly and sing and praise just for fun,
And bring peace like gentle rain.
21 March 2020 - mshr
I led a busy and happy life
Until a mean, lung freezing disease
Cut through me like a knife.
My blessings now come in secret
They are angels that fill me with awe.
They don’t have six wings as Isaiah said (Isaiah 6:1-2).
Nor the ladder Jacob saw (Genesis 28:10-19),
My angels wear T-shirts and blue jeans.
No halos adorn their mussed up hair.
No shimmering silky white robes do I see,
For they specialize in care!
If there’s anything at all that I need:
A meal, a phone call, greeting or prayer,
An angel comes quickly to do it for me,
And to overcome any despair.
An angel’s full time job, you see,
Is to care for those in pain.
They fly and sing and praise just for fun,
And bring peace like gentle rain.
21 March 2020 - mshr
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