What Are You Waiting For?

by Kay Heitsch

You can never do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late. Ralph Waldo Emerson

How many times have we said, "Oh, I'll do that tomorrow." Sometimes tomorrow never comes, and we find ourselves saying, "Boy, I wish I hadn't put that off."

Our family has been friends with Betty for many years. Over the years, we shared phone calls and birthday cards. Betty sent our youngest son Brandon a birthday card with $5.00 in it until he graduated.

This past November, I called Betty to see how she was and what she had done on her birthday. I was quite surprised when Betty didn't answer the phone; instead, her daughter Carol did. Carol told me that her mom had gone downhill fast, and she was now in Hospice care. Carol handed the phone to Betty. I talked briefly to her and let her know we loved her.

As soon as I got off the phone, I sent a text to Brandon to let him know Betty wasn't doing well. Little did I know that Brandon stopped what he was doing and immediately sent flowers to Betty.

You can imagine how proud I was of Brandon when Carol called the next day, letting me know how much Betty loved the flowers Brandon had sent. A few days later, Betty died.

You can never do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.

I Love You Too

by Kay Heitsch

I had a call today from an old friend of over 30 years. Actually, Betty's daughter called and put my friend Betty on the phone.

Because Carol called and not Betty, I knew something was up. When Betty got on the phone, her voice was feeble. There were times when she perked right up in our conversation, especially when I told her about the kids.

I could tell Betty was getting tired, and I told her I loved her. Betty's voice was strong and clear when she responded, "I love you too, Kay."

Carol took the phone and shared that Betty was at home, but she was now on Hospice. I felt sad, but I was happy Betty was able to stay in her own home, and she had excellent care.

I have some great memories with Betty. Over the years, we always sent each other cards after moving from the Dover/New Phila area. Betty loved Brandon and sent him a birthday card with $5.00 every year until he graduated from high school.

It's sad when we know one of our dear friends is about to leave this earth and go home. Sorry for me because I'll miss chatting with her on the phone and her unique cards. But I'm happy for Betty, and I know I'll be seeing her again.

"I love you, Betty. Thanks for the memories!" I can still hear her kind voice, "I love you too, Kay."

I Have So Much To Do

by Kay Heitsch

Years ago, I found myself in a situation where I didn't know how I would ever get everything done. We had just become foster parents. We not only had our two children but now 5 more children had moved in.

What complicated the situation was that we had scabies and pinkeye problems. This called for doing lots of extra laundry and cleaning.

Another complication was that these children's mother was in the hospital and frequently called, wanting me to check on her trailer and the animals on the property where she had been staying.

Now shopping and cooking for 9 people was not something I was used to doing. I was starting to feel overwhelmed.

I was a new Christian at the time and came across a quote that Marin Luther had said. “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.”

Well, now, like Martin Luther, I was in a situation where I had so much to do that I thought I would try what Martin had done. I decided to get up at 4:00 am and spend time with the Lord before starting my day.

I can't tell you how much this helped me go through the day and get everything accomplished that needed to be done. If you find yourself having so much to do, try spending time with the Lord before you do anything else. It sure helped me.

A New Friend

by Kay Heitsch

Yesterday I was on the treadmill at Planet Fitness, and a young guy got on next to me. He looked like a lot of guys there with many tattoos.

I smiled, and it wasn't very long before we started to talk. I questioned Josh about his tattoos. Josh laughed when I said I bet I'm the only one here without one.

I was curious how painful they were to get them. Josh grinned and said it depended on where they were put. I told him I saw one I might like. It went alongside the foot, and it would read, "Walk By Faith." Josh let me know that would be painful!

It wasn't long before we were talking about other things too. I inquired how long Josh had been a member of the gym. Josh shared he had been there a few years.

When our treadmill time was over, I gave him a hug. Then Josh started something that kinda surprised me. He said, "It was great talking with you. Do you know that you are the first person to talk with me here? Most people are intimidated by the way I look."

I made a new friend. I learned a long time ago you can't judge a book by its cover.

One Proud Moment

by Kay Heitsch

With all the talk about bullying going around, I'd like to share a proud moment on the subject.

One day our son, Todd, came home from high school and shared with me about a boy being bullied at school. This kid was not a friend, but that didn't seem to matter to Todd. He didn't like it that this kid was being bullied.

As we stood out in the kitchen, Todd told me that he had confronted the guys bullying this boy. Then he went on to say he was planning to meet them after school off school grounds. Wow! I wasn't expecting to hear that!

To make a long story short, Todd went to the designated location to meet these bullies. He asked a few friends to come along. I'm not sure if these boys would confront these guys or if they were just going for moral support. Anyway, it didn't matter! Wouldn't you know the bullies never showed up!

Todd died in a car accident not too long after the incident. He made a statement by his actions that day. It didn't matter if the person being bullied was a friend or not. Todd confronted the situation!

When we had Todd's calling hours, hundreds showed up. I don't know for sure, but I bet the bullies were there too. I can tell you that when Todd died, he was not only loved, but he was also respected!

Mother's Day Surprise

by Kay Heitsch

It was the day before Mother's Day 2013. I was sitting in my usual spot, spending alone time with the Lord. I looked up and noticed the little Mother's Day statue Todd had given me many years before. I had it on a shelf, along with other memories of days gone by. It was hard to believe it had been 25 years ago that Todd had died in a car accident.

As I sat in my chair, lost in my memories, I thought, "It would sure be nice to receive something again from Todd on Mother's Day, Lord." I knew it was far-fetched to desire something like this, but I wasn't going to tell anyone, and I even thought, "This is between You and me, Lord."

I got up and went about my daily activities. I was out mowing when the thought came to me again. I smiled, wondering if I might be surprised.

Later that night, my husband, Bill, came in from being gone for a few days. He walked in with a rose. He handed it to me and said it was from Todd! I was overwhelmed! Never in the past 25 years had anyone given me anything and said it was from Todd. I knew the Lord had heard and answered the "desires and secret petitions of my heart."

Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart. Psalm 37:4

Where's Harvey?

by Kay Heitsch

Yesterday was our 49th Wedding Anniversary. We thought it would be fun to surprise our best man, Harvey*. We hadn't seen him in 49 years.

We've moved many times between 4 states, and we always had unlisted phone numbers. We'd think of Harvey from time to time, wondering where he was and how he was doing.

Finally, last year I got online, and much to my surprise, Harvey had a business near us. One day we stopped at his business, but he had just left. Yesterday, we went over again. Sure enough, he had been there earlier but was now gone.

We decided to try and find Harvey's home. After a few wild goose chases, we found his family on a dead-end road. As we drove up to this charming home, I saw signs "guard dogs" on location. I wasn't about to get out, but Bill did and rang the doorbell. No one answered.

We started back down this dirt road and saw an SUV coming towards us. We slowed down, and Bill said, "If that SUV goes straight ahead, we're turning around." Sure enough, it did!

We turned around, and Bill got out and rang the bell again. A man came to the door. After Bill asked him a few questions, Harvey said, "Is this you, Bill? I've been thinking about you. I've tried to find you over the years."

This would not be an understatement to say that Harvey and his wife were overwhelmed to see us. When we told them that we had used Harvey's middle name Yale for our son, Todd's middle name, tears came to his eyes.

It was a great day, and we're planning to go out to dinner with them soon!

*Harvey was a nickname.