YOUNG AT HEART

"They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay
fresh and green..." Psalm 92:14

      As my friend Elfrieda and I made our way down an isle of the supermarket I thought, how alive this remarkable lady is, ninety years old and with a view of life as though she were just twenty!  Elfrieda remarked, "Here, Lenore, you take the list and get those groceries.  Be sure to pick some good bananas, won't you.  I'll push my cart down the pet food isle.  I can see good enough to pick out food for my cats and dog.  They all eat the same food, you know."

      What is so remarkable is that Elfrieda is nearly blind, the eye doctor stating her vision is beyond the help of glasses.  She wears a hearing aid due to a lifetime of near deafness; wears a pace-maker for her failing heart, and is bent over with arthritis, needing a cane to keep from falling.  In spite of all these handicaps she looks forward to tomorrow with an outlook I cannot fathom.

      Our friendship goes back at least eighteen years, back when I was one of a group of women who used to gather and play cards and have lunch together.  That was before my daughter was killed in a car wreck; before I cried out to God to help me cope with my loss.

      When I became a born-again Christian, Elfrieda came to my house once a week for a Bible study.  This eventually led to taking her to church where Elfrieda also gave her heart to Jesus.  Later the church we attended went through a transition and we went off in different directions.

      On a Sunday several months ago my friend Marlene invited me to visit a church in Lake Elsinore.  I was surprised to see my friend Elfrieda sitting across the isle.  After worship ended I dashed across the isle and gave Elfrieda a big hug.  A few minutes later Elfrieda made her way across the isle, leaning on her cane, and handed me a paper and pen requesting my phone number.  After church I said, "Elfrieda, I'm so glad to see you.  I'll be over to visit you soon."  I hugged her once more and left with Marlene.

      Monday morning I planned to call Elfrieda but could not think of her last name. I have a terrible time remembering names but I seldom forget faces.  I prayed, "Oh Jesus, please reveal Elfrieds's last name to me."  My prayer was answered.  The next day I woke up with Elfrieda's last name on my lips.  I whispered a prayer of thanks as I looked in the phone book and found her number and called her.

      "Elfrieda, it was so good seeing you again.  I think it's been twelve years since we last met.  I'd like to come over and visit you today."  She replied, "Yes, please come, but drive to the back of the house, otherwise I won't hear you."  It was near Christmas so I brought her a little gift, a daily calendar of God's promises.  I was not aware that she was nearly blind until she picked up a magnifying glass to read the front page of the calendar.

      We had a nice visit as we caught up on what had happened in the years since we had attended the same church together.  On my way home I felt sad for bringing Elfrieda a gift she counld not enjoy.  The next day Elfrieda called.  "I really like the calendar you gave me."  I replied "I should have given you something more practical that you could use."  She exclaimed "Oh no...I love the calendar.  I've already read through many pages and it is helpful.  Thank you, Lenore."

      So that is how our renewed friendship came about.  It became clear to me why God brought us back together.  I needed to see that there was still a reason to live, even though the combination of illness and grief over the loss of my husband was difficult to cope with most days.

       God ignored my constant requests of 'please take me Home, Lord.'  He had plans for me that I knew nothing about.  Six weeks after Christmas Elfrieds's husband Paul died.  I called and visited as much as possible, helping whenever I could.

      So yesterday while guiding Elfrieda down the supermarket isle, I recalled that just a little over a year ago I was too weak to take care of myself and spent two months with my son and daughter-in-law at their home.   Then when I did move back to my place, I was too weak to even go to the grocery store and had to rely on friends to bring supplies to me.  Now I am helping my friend who has similar needs.  Taking Elfrieda shopping each week made me feel useful.  Having lunch together after shopping filled another need we both had for fellowship.  Since we were long-time friends, we had much to share.

      But the most important element of this story is the fact that I am in my seventies and my ninety-year-old friend is showing me how to face tomorrow!  I am amazed at all the plans Elfrieda has for the future.  She bought seeds for a vegetable garden.  She plans on buying a new loveseat for her living room.  I glanced around her kitchen which has been brightened with newly-bought curtains ablaze with white daisies splashed over pretty blue checks, and chair cushions to match.

      I rested my elbow on the new blue tablecloth and thought, Elfrieda is not wasting a moment of her life.  She trusts God and is living life to the fullest with a heart filled with joy.

      Being around Elfrieda has caused me to change my attitude about life.  I see that I have a purpose here on earth.  I must learn to face each new day asking God what His plans are for me.  As I reach out to others I forget my loneliness and go home with a feeling of joy because I have helped someone else.

      I said, "Elfrieda, Your zest for life amazes me!"  "Well," she replied with a look of happy anticipation, "I am ready to go whenever the Lord calls me.  In the meantime, I'm going to enjoy every minute I have left.  Hand me those cucumber seeds.  I want to plant them today."