Among the things I enjoy most about the onset of late autumn and the early days of winter are the long dark evenings. When I lived in the beautiful city of Decatur, Illinois, with its flat land and wide horizons, I would often be in my office as darkness fell upon the city and its' surrounding countryside. The lights on Pershing Road and especially the colorful lights of Christmas brought a thrill to my heart. At that time of evening most people were rushing along that four-lane street to get home from the work of the day.
Those evenings had an additional note of excitement if the snow was falling and that was often the case in the winter months. They were special because I would soon be on my way home, just one mile up MacArthur Road to 605 Frank Drive. Kitty, Elizabeth and Mark would be there and in their younger years running to the door to greet me. Blessed days that have turned into blessed memories.
While I was enjoying those long dark evenings, my Mother, 500 miles away, on the same property where I now live in Scott Depot, West Virginia, was fighting back the tears, fears and emptiness of being alone. I really cannot understand the depths of her heartache, aloneness and longing for companionship. Only those who have experienced death and separation after a long and happy marriage know what such loneliness means.
Just a few days ago I found a small diary in which my Mother had written some of her thoughts and events of the day. The most common phrase was, “I miss Clarence so very much.” Those words had been written within a few years after my Dad’s death on July 1, 1963. Mom lived until January 24, the day after her 79th birthday, 1989. That was 26 years without the man she loved.
Many times during those years she spoke of her loneliness. As I grow older and enter more into the experiences of others, I think I’m getting a better insight into how she must have felt. I hope I never really know, but if I ever do, I want to lean heavily upon the word of God, which I have encouraged others to do, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5) and “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:30). I know it is so much easier to preach it than it is to practice it.
What can you and I do to help curb the deep feelings of loneliness in others at this season of the year, so beautiful and exciting for millions, but so dark and lonely for millions of others?
* A simple phone call that says, “I want you to know that I love you and appreciate you with all my heart.” That same sentiment can also be expressed in a letter, with a card or an e-mail.
* Visit and spend time with them if you can.
* Pray daily for your family and friends. Ask God to fill their hearts with his comforting presence. Distance holds no power over prayer.
* Remember to share your love and blessings with those who live nearby.
Let’s all do what we can to help others during this Christmas season. Reach out and touch somebody who may be alone. Newly made widows and widowers, parents whose children recently died, children whose parents deceased, brothers and sisters who have lost a sibling and those in military service all need our love. We will help curb our own loneliness as well as that of those whom we touch with a message of love and forgiveness.
Publisher's Note: Bill Ellis, Award Winning
Syndicated Columnist, P.O. Box 345, Scott Depot, WV 25560.
Phone:304-757-6089
www.BillEllis.Net.
