In Everything Give Thanks

In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.         
1 Thessalonians 5:18.
 
I watched as the elderly man got out of the car.  He needed help of course as he grabbed the side and leaned forward. He looked around, unsure of where he was. He saw me watching and said hello. He asked who I was, was I having a nice day. He had the kindest eyes and such a warm smile that I could not look away. I told him my name, and he asked if I knew this place. I said, I love this place and eat here quite often.  As we walked slowly, he shuffled his feet, holding the cane, concentrating so he would not fall. He laughed easily and squeezed my hand, thanking me because he did not know where to go.

When he eventually made his way to the table, he sat down with the same effort he used leaving the car. Happy to be out of the cold wind, he thanked me once more and I walked away. His wife was with him and her patience and love for him were obvious. She told him he did not have to remember. She was with him. She might have been tired, but she showed him respect and moved the plate of food so he could reach it easily. As he took his fork, his wife reminded him, Sam, please say grace?  He looked up startled, but quickly responded with, Of course.

He bowed his head and prayed, Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this and all our many blessings. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. His voice was clear and certain, so different from our conversation before. His wife smiled.

I will never forget eating the Krystal hamburgers at my grandparents’ house. Daddy Sam might not have recognized me, his oldest granddaughter, or his home for nearly fifteen years. However, he did remember how to thank his Heavenly Father for the blessings in his life.

One of my greatest joys was being his granddaughter. Now, even a year later, I can still recall precious moments with him.

I close my eyes; Daddy Sam sings as he grasps my tiny hand. I see the moon, and the moon sees me. Please Mr. Moon don’t tell on me.

I close my eyes; we are searching for our next adventure in his camper. Years later, I learn to drive the stick shift in his blue 66 Mustang. The windows are down, and we sing with Elvis on the radio. We dance. He patiently teaches me how to waltz, so I know what it feels like to dance with a man who loves me.

I close my eyes; I hear his strong voice reminding me to be grateful. I hear the echo of his practical advice that guards my decisions. If you have your family, then you have everything you need. If it breaks, fix it -yourself. If you pay for everything with cash, you will always have money. Take care of your health.
 
I close my eyes; Daddy Sam does not brag that he entered Paris during the liberation of France during World War II. Instead, he vividly describes how his older brother Harold parachuted into France on D-Day and was captured by Germans.

I close my eyes; I am at the back door of their Richwood home. Daddy Sam grabs his straw hat as he goes to cut grass. I turn to see him coming around the fence from tending his garden. He greets me with Hey Baby, you want some cucumbers or tomatoes? I stand in that doorway of my childhood and see a man fiercely in love with my grandmother, Marjorie.

I close my eyes; I am sitting by his bed. When he looks at me one last time, I thank him. I tell him I am grateful for this precious moment, for holding his hand, and for our beautiful years that I was his granddaughter. I thanked God for allowing me to see His glory even in the life and death of this dear man.
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Daddy Sam was like the young man in the bible who quietly offered his fish and loaves of bread to Jesus as he faced a hungry multitude of people.  A constant and gracious provider, Jesus took that humble offering from the boy and made a miracle of provision from it. In the same way, Jesus took what Daddy Sam humbly offered – his life of love and service to his family, country, and community- and richly blessed him with 96 years here on earth. Daddy Sam had a life well lived, a life well-loved.

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