Like me, my mom fails to filter. She told me of conversation she had with a gentleman in her senior living complex. I can imagine the questions she lobbed at him. “When I asked him how old he was, he asked me how much I weighed,” said my contrite mom who acknowledged she learned a lesson, however short-lived.
While I was visiting her recently, I watched a horrifying exchange. “Hi, Edna,” mom says. “Your hair looks pretty. Is it a wig?”
Still, everybody loves Earlene. At least they say they do when I reveal I’m her daughter. She is kind-hearted, optimistic and approachable. At 88, she drives residents in need to doctor’s appointments and to church.
She knows the names of all who live there. She introduces herself to new residents and finds out as much about them as they are willing to reveal. And she explains that she is “just curious” to those who wonder why she asks so many questions. That’s all–not nosy.
Despite her foot-in-mouth shortcomings (inherited by me), my mom has other traits I hope to emulate: a daily prayer life, empathy, caring for others and zest for life.
This message is excerpted from a Women of the ELCA blog by Terri Lackey. You can read it here. Today we remember Bartholomew, the apostle.
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