Sunday, March 9 1 John 4:18

There is no fear in love.

A GENTLE SOUL

John exhorted the early Christians to keep their faith strong and to continue to love one another as Christ loves them. Faith is made strong by the grace of hope.

On Good Friday, April 15, 2022, our family experienced an unexpected shock when my only sibling, Marilyn, suffered a debilitating stroke. The stroke affected her cognitive abilities of speech and memory. Marilyn is dependent on others for her care and affairs. Prior to the stroke, she was in good health, independent and living in her own home. She retired as a longtime bookkeeper in early 2014 to spend more time with her husband, Terry, and travel. Unfortunately, Terry died in spring 2014 from cancer.

Initially, Marilyn was fearful and unable to comprehend what the stroke had done to her. She had hoped to return to her home, drive her car and resume her life. Gradually, and with the help of extensive therapy, particularly speech therapy, she was able to understand and accept the nature and permanence of her cognitive decline.

What hasn`t changed for Marilyn is her genuine love for others. She continues to be a kind, gentle and compassionate person. She embraced her husband`s four children and grandchildren. She shared her love with elderly relatives of our family and her husband`s family. She also formed a special bond with both of our daughters.

Marilyn now lives in a small assisted living facility. She has adjusted well. Blessed by God`s grace, she remains thankful to those who help make her quality of life better. She expresses gratitude to caretakers by leaving little thank you notes for them in her room.

She enjoys walking the halls of the facility. The gift of sight has given her a time to pause and marvel at the beauty of things around her. She loves the outdoors and seeing wildlife nearby. She looks forward to seeing the early budding of the trees as spring approaches.

Marilyn`s early fears of her disability have dissipated. She is gifted by God`s love and grace, and her nature as a kind, gentle, caring and loving person continues to blossom.

Dear Jesus, thank you for gifting me with my sister, whom I love very much. May we all be blessed to truly love one another as you have first loved us.

Larry Erlich

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