89 year old Betty was born in Cumberland Gap, Tennessee in 1928 where she was raised with her 3 siblings. She and her husband were married for 60 years before he passed away 5 years ago.
He was a pastor and she, a high school English teacher for 30 years. Together they raised their son, Gordon and daughter, Susan.
They were blessed with 2 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. Over the years she remained in Tennessee while Gordon moved to Georgia and Susan to Virginia. Gordon followed in his father’s footsteps and is a youth pastor, his daughter followed in her grandmother’s footsteps and she too is an English teacher.
About 3 weeks ago Betty took a bump on her head and then ended up in the hospital. When it became evident that she could probably no longer live at home by herself her family contacted us. The plan is that Betty will go live near Susan in Virginia.
We arrived on this sunny morning at the hospital and are greeted by the staff with their sweet southern accents and southern hospitality. Miss Betty is sitting up in a chair with Gordon at her bedside. He will be flying with us.
She has beautiful soft white hair, wire-rimmed glasses and is wearing a green and white blouse with pink pants. Her cheeks are rosy and her smile gentle. She is dressed and ready.
We place her on the cot making sure she is comfortable for her journey and head to the airport. The bright sun bothers her eyes so Hal prays quickly before we board Nellie.
She did quite well with her flight. Occasionally in her soft voice she would ask for a drink of water and then close her eyes and rest. We had good conversation with Gordon.
At last we arrived in Virginia where it was just as hot as Tennessee. Our trip to the new facility was short and as we arrived we could see Susan standing outside waiting for us. As soon as Miss Betty is out of the back of the ambulance Susan leans in to gently kiss her mom. The facility is beautiful and the staff extremely friendly. We enter Miss Betty’s new room to find a comfortable recliner.
We place her into the recliner per her request, she is tired of lying down. As Susan picks up the bible from the table she quickly searches for the passage she has marked.
She then asks if we will please read Psalm 91 outloud. What a wonderful honor to do so. As Eric gently holds the bible he leans in and begins to speak clearly, reading each verse slowly from 1 through 16 as we all listen. Afterward we prayed and gave praise to God.
We hugged Gordon, Susan and kissed Miss Betty good-bye.
I am confident she is going to receive excellent care here and I pray that God will continue to bless her time with her sweet family.
PSALM 91:1-2 WHOEVER DWELLS IN THE SHELTER OF THE MOST HIGH WILL REST IN THE SHADOW OF THE ALMIGHTY. I WILL SAY OF THE LORD, “HE IS MY REFUGE AND MY FORTRESS, MY GOD , IN WHOM I TRUST.”
Thank you to Hal and Eric for sharing this mission with me.
Many blessings
Shelli Engle RN
