“Never let kindness
and truth leave you; write them on the tablet of your heart." ~
Proverbs 3:3
The old woman sat in her chair by
the window. It’s floral-cushioned wicker
wasn’t the most comfortable one in the house, but it offered the best view out
the front window for her daily visit.
Every afternoon, the students on Arlington’s #7 school bus
drove by and she greeted them with warm smile and friendly wave as they passed
her home. Grinning as if she were a
child, she lives vicariously through these random teenagers who she knew she’d
probably never meet.
Yet there she sat, without fail, the afternoon light reflecting
off her tanned and wrinkled skin with the eyes that belied her ninety years. She had laughter lines from her gift for
smiling easily, her personality made all the more pleasing by the sweet paths
she'd danced since birth. That simple
handwave tickled everyone on the bus until they, too, smiled wide and true.
Little did she know that since they didn’t know her name,
the students affectionately called her “Gramma in the Window.” The daily routine became as important to them
as it did for Gramma.
One morning the window was empty; Gramma wasn't at her usual
living room post. In fact, she was
absent for several days in a row. The
students became concerned and wanted to make sure their elderly “friend” was
OK.
They later learned that 'Gramma,' (real name Louise), had
suffered a stroke and was hospitalized at a local rehab center. The kids decided to do something. They posed for a photo of themselves waving from
the bus so she’d have something to look at when she couldn’t be at the window.
The mounted picture, signed by all on bus #7, was delivered
to Louise at the care center. Though her throat was paralyzed as a result of
the stroke, she strained to mumble, “I miss them, too. I'm trying to get better."
Her husband of 53 years, with
whom they have 30 grand and 23 great-grandchildren, said the students' gesture
“meant the world” to his wife.
He also believed that it helped
hasten her return home where she was met with great fanfare from a large group
of students with colorful signs welcoming their Gramma in the window” back home. Meanwhile, Louise is back on her perch,
observing passersby and waving to the students every day.
Love from the bus goes around
and round; connections rekindled by kindness and compassion.
Dear Lord, remind us that one of our most
precious gifts is the maturity and wisdom of Your children who have grown
old. They are the guardians of our
traditions. Help us appreciate their
wisdom and the richness of their experience.
Amen
