The Gardens

Assisted Living Community

Veteran’s Day – Again?

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On November 10th, during lunch, we will honor twelve men and one lady who live at The Gardens and served our country in the armed services. . . again. Every year, since 1918, our nation honors our veterans of war on Veteran’s Day. Many of them are the same men and women who we have honored year after year for service rendered years ago. Why?

Why do it again and again? Because we need to remember. We need to remember that wars have been fought to preserve our way of life, and today we are still fighting enemies of life and freedom. We need to remember that we enjoy our freedom today because of the sacrifices made by our men and women in uniform. We need to remember that we have heroes living among us. Yes, we need to remember them again, and never let them forget that we are grateful for their service and sacrifice.

It is not too much to ask Americans to take this one day every year to remember and to bestow honor on the brave men and women who sometime in their past gave some years of their life for their country. It is not too much to ask Americans to tell once again those same men and women whom we have thanked on other Veteran’s Days – “thank you for your service.” It is healthy for our nation that we do so. And, it is good for them, to be forced to stand tall, suck in their gut, stick out their chest, and for just a few moments, on this one day each year, to accept with pride the thanks of a grateful nation.

You are invited to attend our brief ceremony which will begin after lunch is served. If you plan to eat with us please contact the office to make a reservation.

A Sweet Poem on Dementia

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I absolutely love this poem.

A ROSE IN THE SNOW    Author – Alana LeClaire

His dazed, tired eyes were far away

in deep blue oceans where he once played

But the little girl beside him prays

that one day he will remember her name.

It seemed more certain for a rose

to bloom in ice cold winter snow

than for grandfather to recall the name

of a little girl who waits in faith.

We were all casting her hope away,

trying to help her “cope,”

to ease the pain of a little girl

who longs for a rose in the snow.

Then, one night, grandfather sat next to a window

that displayed a crescent moon.

He turned away his face from it

to look across the room.

He smiled at her,

She ran to him,

He gently caressed her face.

Then, he leaned over and in her ear

He slowly whispered her name.

Her smile was such

that its radiance

could now outshine the moon…

And somewhere on Earth,

on a snow-filled mountain,

a rose emerged in bloom.

WHEN I SAY . . .

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I can’t take credit for writing this poem. When I found it there was no name attached. I like it. I hope you do 2.

When I say . . . “I am a Christian,”
I’m not shouting, “I am saved!”
I’m whispering, “I was lost.”
And I’m glad I found The Way.

When I say . . . “I am a Christian,”
I don’t speak of this with pride.
I’m confessing that I stumble
And need Christ to be my guide.

When I say . . . “I am a Christian,”
I’m not trying to be strong.
I’m professing I am weak,
Needing Christ to carry on.

When I say . . . “I am a Christian,”
I’m not bragging of success.
I’m admitting I have failed,
But now found happiness.

When I say . . . “I am a Christian,”
I’m not claiming to be flawless.
My flaws are much too visible.
Christ’s blood has made me sinless.

When I say . . . “I am a Christian,”
I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches,
Which is why I speak God’s name.

When I say . . . “I am a Christian,”
I do not wish to judge.
It’s not my place to do so,
But only to share God’s love.

The Pronoun Test

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Robert Reich, former U.S. Secretary of Labor, visited various workplaces in America for 6 months administering what he called “The Pronoun Test.” He asked employees general questions about the company. If the answers he received described the company in terms of “they” and “them” he concluded it was one kind of company. If the answers described the company with “we” or “us” he concluded it was another kind of company.

The pronoun test is simple but very revealing. I suspect employers would love to have only employees who see themselves as a member of a team serving together to accomplish a shared mission and purpose. Their workers would use “us” and “we” when discussing the everyday life of the company. Pronouns that indicate personal commitment and devotion to the company would be used when talking about it.

The same principle applies to the way we talk about Jesus. A lot can be revealed by the pronouns used. If I ask the question, “To you, who is Jesus?” Some will say, “He is the Son of God,” or “He is the one who died on the cross and rose from the grave.” Others will say, “He is my Savior and Lord,” or, “He is the one who died for me.” Do you see the difference?  One answer reveals knowledge, the other reveals a relationship. Who is Jesus . . . to you?

Norman Drummond, Chaplain

Tuning Up

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I play a little guitar, or perhaps I should say, I play a little bit on the guitar for personal and private enjoyment. (I don’t actually have a little guitar) It seems that every time I pick up my guitar it is a little out of tune. I sometimes work the tuning keys and tune the guitar by ear. It, however, is always best if I use an electric tuner to bring each string to a more perfect tone.

I find a life lesson here. My life gets out of tune easily and I find I need frequent tuning. Prayer is the tuning key. The longer I go without spending time in prayer the more out of tune with God I become. Daily prayer is absolutely necessary to keep in tune. I am most in tune if I include Bible reading with my prayer time. The Bible is like that electric tuner. Instead of relying only on my spiritual ear, I listen to God’s Word to give more perfect correction.

If your life feels out of tune, don’t continue to ignore the discord. Don’t keep on living life with noise and disharmony. Stop accepting as normal sour notes and harsh tones. Get your life in tune. Bring your life before the Lord in prayer and Bible reading.