Dr. Sheila Pope
Jul 6, 20172 min
Ms. Wallace is legally blind and currently living in a hot house without central air in Acres Home. In June, after visiting the nursing home with me, Ms. Wallace passed out and was hospitalized. I have been trying to get Ms. Wallace to move for two years. Last month, she heard a snake crawing around in the walls. The snake catcher came but could not catch the snake. I feared for her safety. She often burns or undercooks her food because she cannot see what she is doing.
Today, she stated that she was finally ready to move. We praised God in the SUV for her “Greater.” I thanked God for “my greater!” She shared her testimony and I cried like a baby. Luckily, she could not see me. We forget some senior citizens do not have central air and heat. She said she almost froze to death in January because she only has a floor heater.
I went to help Ms. Wallace today, but she helped me instead. She moved me and touched my heart with her words and her testimony. She reminded me of how important it is to obey God and do what He asked even when I do not want to do it. She reminded me of how good God has been to me.
More importantly, she reminded me that she “saw” my efforts to help her as a blessing; she reminded me of the fact that I have helped her and Ms. Johnson for over 20 years; she reminded me that God called me to help my adopted children; she reminded me that I never charged them for helping them; she reminded me that I did not have to help them!
She reminded me that I loved and respected little old ladies because of a special senior citizen I had in my life named Mrs. Zeffie Frazier (referred to as Muh). Muh practically raised me while my parents worked. I sat with Muh and laughed, ate any and everything, cried too much, learned to tell time, pick eggs out of the chicken coop, walked in hot tar, and watched The Edge of Night and The Price is Right.
When I turned 16, I got my first job while staying with Muh for the summer. I had my first boyfriend visit from out of town at Muh’s. I drove Muh and Alice to the fish creek. I picked-up Muh’s spit cup and brought her Bitter Garrett’s snuff so much that I never wanted to try dipping!
I have a special place in my heart for senior citizens thanks to Zeffie Frazier’ s love for me. She treated me like I was special. I think our relationship was one of the best relationships I have had. I love Ms. Johnson and Ms. Wallace too. They make me better!
#acreshomes #Africanseniors #oldladies #reflections #love #nursinghomes #blindness #greater #elderly