The latest edition of LSA Voices is in the mail. Here is he latest Goings On (picture above is Abundant Living Executive Director Barbara Garwood with Wilson Smith; other picture is Mrs. Cleo Miller and me):
The lines often get blurred in my professional and personal life, which is fine with me. Luther wrote about vocation and I am blessed that my vocation is directly related to the church. I lost two good friends in April who were related to both my work and personal life.
I wrote about Ms. Cleo (Cleo Miller) in a recent issue of LSA Voices. She died in April at the grand age of 96. I knew her all my life, and took baths in her kitchen sink when I was just 6 months old. One of the most attentive sons I've ever seen, her son Dent, asked me to say a few words at her funeral. I shared that when God woke up that morning he smelled fresh pound cake! I shared that comment because it said all that need be said about my friend Cleo. She is in heaven most assuredly and pound cake is a wonderful expression of her hospitality that included her always-positive outlook and great sense of humor. Ms. Cleo always had a pound cake in the house, and I ate more than my share! Everyone always felt welcome at Cleo's.
We can all learn from Ms. Cleo's example. When I wrote about her, I mentioned how many seniors are out there who can or could share their lives with us. I ended then and will ask again, "Who is your Cleo?" Go find your Cleo and you'll gain more than you can ever give.
We lost another friend in April, Wilson Smith. Many of you knew him as a co-founder of Food Lion. I first knew him 30 years ago as a greeter at St. John's Lutheran Church in Salisbury. He always welcomed me like we were best friends. Imagine my surprise when I found out who he was. Sitting at his funeral, I reflected on his life and his many connections to LSA. Now, the Lutheran Home at Trinity Oaks might have been built without his personal and financial support, but it would not be what it is today. It would be easy to argue that Trinity Oaks and Abundant Living Adult Day Services might not be here at all if were it not for Mr. Smith. His personal support, advice, service on the Board, and financial support were instrumental in having a full continuum of senior services in Rowan County. His vocation led him to serve LSA and many other important ministries and services.
Above all, Mr. Smith was a genuinely nice person. He served as an example of Christian love and stewardship for me and for many others until his death at the age of 93. Now I have two new questions, "Who is your Mr. Smith?" and "Can you be Mr. Smith to someone today?"
The lines often get blurred in my professional and personal life, which is fine with me. Luther wrote about vocation and I am blessed that my vocation is directly related to the church. I lost two good friends in April who were related to both my work and personal life.
I wrote about Ms. Cleo (Cleo Miller) in a recent issue of LSA Voices. She died in April at the grand age of 96. I knew her all my life, and took baths in her kitchen sink when I was just 6 months old. One of the most attentive sons I've ever seen, her son Dent, asked me to say a few words at her funeral. I shared that when God woke up that morning he smelled fresh pound cake! I shared that comment because it said all that need be said about my friend Cleo. She is in heaven most assuredly and pound cake is a wonderful expression of her hospitality that included her always-positive outlook and great sense of humor. Ms. Cleo always had a pound cake in the house, and I ate more than my share! Everyone always felt welcome at Cleo's.
We can all learn from Ms. Cleo's example. When I wrote about her, I mentioned how many seniors are out there who can or could share their lives with us. I ended then and will ask again, "Who is your Cleo?" Go find your Cleo and you'll gain more than you can ever give.
We lost another friend in April, Wilson Smith. Many of you knew him as a co-founder of Food Lion. I first knew him 30 years ago as a greeter at St. John's Lutheran Church in Salisbury. He always welcomed me like we were best friends. Imagine my surprise when I found out who he was. Sitting at his funeral, I reflected on his life and his many connections to LSA. Now, the Lutheran Home at Trinity Oaks might have been built without his personal and financial support, but it would not be what it is today. It would be easy to argue that Trinity Oaks and Abundant Living Adult Day Services might not be here at all if were it not for Mr. Smith. His personal support, advice, service on the Board, and financial support were instrumental in having a full continuum of senior services in Rowan County. His vocation led him to serve LSA and many other important ministries and services.
Above all, Mr. Smith was a genuinely nice person. He served as an example of Christian love and stewardship for me and for many others until his death at the age of 93. Now I have two new questions, "Who is your Mr. Smith?" and "Can you be Mr. Smith to someone today?"
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