Soon, Don became a part of our Saturday morning routine. We’d go by his apartment, pick him up, and then a quick breakfast at Cracker Barrel, Shoney’s, or towards the last few Saturdays, Denny’s. After that, we’d take him shopping, visiting various stores from Ruler’s, Wal-Mart, and in trips across the Ohio River to Evansville, Indiana, we’d take him to Sam’s Club, GFS, Best Buy, and a number of mom-and-pop kitchen stores that he loved to visit. About six months ago, we began taking him to Rural King – which was literally like taking a child to a candy store. He’d easily spend thirty dollars on candy, root beer, and Kerr’s potato chips (there were times I was a wee bit envious)!
Michelle and I knew that his health was deteriorating as we watched him go from walking unassisted to using a cane; a few months later, he began using a walker, and then, for about three months, a wheel chair. Saturday mornings began to last into the early Saturday afternoon hours. We began to miss our church’s Saturday morning visitation, but in my heart I felt it was more important to focus on Don’s emotional and spiritual needs than taking any shortcuts that would get us back in time for visitation, but would shortchange Don of his need for fellowship. At the time, I wondered if I were doing the right thing but looking back, I know that the decisions that Michelle and I made was what the Lord Jesus Christ would have us do. After 42 years of life and twenty-five years of being a Christian,
I have finally begun to understand what Jesus meant” A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another (John 13:34) and Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil (I Peter 3:8-12).
At the time of Don’s passing through the memorial service on Sunday, numerous friends from the church and others who knew Don, have told us how much of a blessing that we were to Don. Although all I could do was nod in agreement, I think that it has been my family and myself that were being blessed by Don. He became a part of our family, sitting proudly at our table each holiday. He became our Saturday companion, always bringing a smile to our faces as he would race around in the store scooters, honking the horn and waving to our daughter as he passed by. He inspired and encouraged me through his sincere devotion to God and in his faithful church service. He was never ashamed to share the gospel message or to talk about his pastor to anyone that would listen even though he knew that his health was deteriorating. In my mind’s eye and through faith, I can now see Don in sweet fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
