SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2024 MISCELLANEOUS AND LOVING

 SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2ND, 2024 - MISCELLANEOUS AND LOVING

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A FACEBOOK STORY:

“I drive a school bus and have a sixth-grader rider who likes to talk.

Last week, he talked about an elderly neighbor who had not left her house for weeks. I tried to explain how hard it could be for her to do things. 

On Tuesday, I pulled up, but he was away from the stop. I looked over and saw him shoveling her porch. I was early so I waited for him. The other kids asked why I waited. Anyone helping someone deserves a few extra minutes. All the kids started asking him questions about his neighbor. 

The next day, seven children got on the bus with blankets, food, and cards for the elderly woman. I delivered them after work. Now, she stands on the porch every day, and the whole bus waves good morning. I am so proud of him for stepping up and doing the right thing. He taught all the children something important. I smile with pride in my heart because of the extraordinary children I have on my bus.” 

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Love can come in the smallest of actions—the actions of a sixth-grade boy or doing something special for almost anybody.

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THE FOLLOWING COMES FROM A FACEBOOK POST BY MY COUSIN JA

She starts writing about posting on social media:

“The unwritten rule of these platforms is to keep it impersonal. We post photos of places and people, in my case, politics (which is personal to me but not about me), and we hope to be helpful, clever, or informative.

I do that, too.

But what makes us truly human is our feelings, which spring from experience.

So, I don’t have to discuss my feelings or experiences, but I might want to. I might want to talk about what most of us will experience at some point if we’re lucky enough.

Is that okay?”

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She goes on about Leo - her love!!

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“The first thing to say is that I’m so in love. The day I met Leo, I was amazed by his smile, dimples, and good nature. I was captivated by his denim-blue eyes, incredible voice, and ability to unify a room. His depth blew my heart wide open.

As we got to know each other, I found in him someone who understood me, appreciated me and loved me.

Roughly 2.5 years into our whirlwind relationship—he had a massive stroke. I force myself to go where it happened and cry sometimes so I can get unstuck from the trauma of that day. Crying is the best medicine for me. And when the house’s quiet is too much as he sleeps, I go out. Sometimes, it’s just to get one thing. But breaking it up helps a little. Even a little relief is enough.

Because I’m watching him vanish a day, sometimes an hour at a time. The most challenging part was that I could do nothing about it.

I’ve researched, pleaded, prayed, and consulted experts. Sometimes, we don’t get the ending where life returns to” normal.”

There’s no timetable, known trajectory, or workaround. There’s no outside help, no solution, and only love. So much love. We both remember that in the midst of all this loss.

We have some great talks, cuddles, movie watching, books we read together, and sometimes just sitting together, aware of the gifts we have.

There needs to be a roadmap or a number of experts who can guide us. There’s only this: the “this-ness” of our life together.

Please don’t bless my heart, pray for us, or offer sympathy.

It’s like doing life; we’re not the only ones with difficulty.

But I feel like sharing what’s hard may mean something to someone.

It certainly means something to me.”

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Karen adds that JA and Leo are very special. I spent two happy hours with them a couple of years ago. They have found the depth of agape love. She cares for him in his weakness. He loves her with a passion that doesn’t quit when he is having a bad day. 

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Karen found this about high-functioning depression. I’m not sure that applies to me, but maybe it does, and perhaps some of you will know somebody who has hidden all the grief of their lives so deeply you don’t know it - until you take time to get to know them.

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HIGH FUNCTIONING DEPRESSION:

High-functioning depression is a term used to describe people who experience depression symptoms while still being able to manage their day-to-day lives and responsibilities. Although it’s not a formal medical diagnosis, it can be a helpful way to describe this experience. 

People with high-functioning depression may have similar symptoms to those with major depressive disorder, including:

• Feeling sad, hopeless, or helpless 

• Losing interest in activities that used to bring joy 

• Changes in eating habits 

• Difficulty sleeping 

• Difficulty concentrating 

• Negative thoughts about themselves and others

The difference between high-functioning depression and major depressive disorder is that people with major depression often have trouble taking care of themselves. 

 Some ways to support someone with depression include:

• Encouraging them to continue treatment 

• Being a good listener 

• Offering positive reinforcement 

• Helping to reduce stress 

• Helping them find helpful organizations 

• Encouraging them to take self-care steps

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THERE YOU HAVE IT - SOME RANDOM THOUGHTS FOR A SATURDAY. A child helping a neighbor, a cousin with a beautiful man in her life - and finding love through his stroke, and thoughts about loving somebody with depression.

My friends, I always write “LOVE WINS’ - and it does.

I’m falling back on 1 Corinthians 13 to conclude:

Love is patient; love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others; it is not self-seeking; it is not easily angered; it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 

The last line says it all - “LOVE NEVER FAILS”. 

And, if you allow it - and the choice is YOURS - LOVE TRANSFORMS

Karen Anne White, Saturday, November 2, 2024