It's a rainy day and I've been meaning to post for some time now. Weeks ago, word came to me that one of mother's special cousins, Nellie Bennett, had come to reside at the same home where mother is. With mixed emotions on the news; not wanting Nell to have to give up her freedom of living at home, yet a little joy, knowing that she will be near mother, I call my sister Sue to tell her the news, knowing she would be going for a visit in a day or so and could check in on Nell. I knew that with mother's current state of mind, she would probably never recognize Nell as the little girl she played with, years and years ago at the Lake House (Lake Adger) where her father, who was Mother's Uncle Burt, caretaker and game warden of the Lake back in the 1930's. If any of you have read my blog for sometime, you may recall a post on August 8, 2010, entitled "The Lake House." If so inclined, you can look it up and read. My sister Sue had never met Nell, but was aware of who she was. While visiting mother, she noticed a gentleman there, calling a new resident by the name of "Nell." She preceded to go over and introduce herself and asked if she was Nell Bennett, mother's cousin. With a huge grin, Nell, explained that she had seen mother in the dining room on more than one occasion and felt sure it was her but was reluctant to say anything. The Nursing Home has been doing some renovating recently, and our family had been told that mother would soon be moved to a new hall, so that her current room could be turned into a "private room." Nell inquired as to where mother's room was and my sister told her the situation and that she would soon be moved to another hall. With a surprise comment, Nell stated that she lives on that hall, and that her room will be right next door to mother. It was only a few more days and I was up visiting. Excited to see Nell, who I had known for many years, while working at the local Baptist Association Office, and seeing she and sister Jeanette on many visits there. Many times, they would come by, asking about mission work and what did we have for them that they could be a part of. Even in their 80's, still excited about serving the Lord and their community. Being sisters, I began referring to them as "Mary and Martha" which is recorded in the book of Luke. Making my way into Nell's room, rolling mother in front of me, I see a very familiar face of a woman who had been a playmate to my mother in their childhood days; a woman of strong integrity, strength and servanthood to the Lord; yet now, someone who was in a confined place, but was still filling a need to others. Even though mother doesn't seem to have a clue as to who Nell is, it brings me comfort just to know that they are here in this building at this place and time in their lives once again.
