A Day to Remember

This was a ridiculously beautiful November day. The temperatures soared to about 70 degrees, the breeze blew scores of leaves around, and the whole world smelled of fall. You can’t script days better than this one. It is, however, a day that holds some somber memories. On November 3, 2008, my dear niece Jessica Marie Arnold bravely took her last breaths here on earth. She triumphantly entered heaven, shedding all the encumbrances that neurofibromatosis had thrown her way. She found the cure for that awful condition, but she left us behind to muddle through without her joy, her stubbornness, and her tenacity (perhaps that’s another word for stubbornness). Her medical condition was neurofibromatosis, but her resilience in the face of this “disease” was what defined her. NF was a thief in the night, stealing physical abilities from Jessi at an unalterable pace. She suffered through physical pain, enormous disabilities, loss of privacy, and shattered dreams of what might have been, if not for NF. 

Andrew and Jessica

We all have our favorite stories of Jessica adventures. She would go mushroom hunting and get stuck in the mud. Far in the distance, we might hear her pitiful little wheelchair horn beeping a cry for help. Eventually someone would find her and get her back on dry ground. Then there was the year she went for a “walk” with little Allie (maybe 4 years old at the time?) only to tip her chair. Allie raced

Jessi with Aiden

back to the camp to get help. Jessi loved the little kids and longed to give them a ride on her chair or just to talk to them. And Jessica was a master at the art of conversation. She remembered details from other people’s lives and was genuinely interested in hearing from each person. She would much rather have her conversations revolve around the other person than around how she was feeling or doing.

I loved her. I miss her.

Life here on earth is brief, no matter the number of days we get. While Jessica’s time here was a mere 33 years, I had the privilege of spending this afternoon with a man who has been gifted with many more years. My friend Dr. Woolner will be turning 102 in a couple of weeks. I went down the hill and visited with him for a time this afternoon. He still charms me every time I see him. His laughter is contagious. He has lived a long time, and yet when he talks of the past, it is as if it were yesterday. Time slips by without us noticing.

So, as I said, this was a ridiculously beautiful November day. What could my dear, almost-102-year-old friend do but go out for a walk and enjoy it?

Dapper Dr. Woolner

Dr. Woolner with his daughter, Anne. 

Lord, help me learn from him. Help me savor the moment.  It is not for me to know what is coming next. I do know that life will never be perfect, but there is a purpose to every single day. Thank you, Lord. Amen.

So teach us to number our days
    that we may get a heart of wisdom.
Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,
    that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. (Psalm 90:12,14)