In recent weeks we have had two members of our area community pass on that were well known and loved by many.  They were Mr. Shuford Keisler and Mrs. Connie Derrick.  There were both blessed with wonderful and committed spouses who did their best to support them and Mr. Shuford and Mrs. Connie grew wose in their final months.  Often, we remember deceased, as we should, just after their deaths but in this article I wish to remember the love and commitment of the surviving spouse, and how that speaks well of their loved one who is now gone.  Tee Derrick and Mrs. Freda Keisler - this is to honor you as you now go through your grief.  The LORD bless you both and the any others who have been where you are now.

          The elderly gentleman hurried into the doctor's office telling the receptionist his appointment to have stitches removed from his hand had to be quick otherwise he'd miss his next very important appointment.  Finally, his turn came to be seen by the nurse who was to remove his stitches.  "Oh, please hurry," he stated. "I"m going to be late to my luncheon date with my wife"!  The nurse mused at the gentleman considering his age and thinking to herself, "how sweet, he and his wife still date at their age".  So she asked the man, "Well, where are you taking your wife to lunch"?  The man answered, "I'm not taking her anywhere.  I'm going to the nursing home she lives in to see her.  She's been there three years and knows nothing.  She has Alzheimer's disease".  The nurse now moved and curious asked, "Well, if your wife knows nothing why are you in such a hurry to get there?  She wouldn't know you were late to her lunch time".  The man stated clearly and with conviction, "Yes ma'm, you are right, she won't know I was late but I will know I was late and she doesn't know me anymore but I still know who she is"!  Loving "for better or worse" means being committed to each other in every season and circumstance of life.  It's how Christ loved His church:  "Having loved His own ... He loved them to the end". (John 13:34)

     Thank you, Tee and Mrs. Freda for having exemplified the love of God to your spouse for the rest of us to see.  As Christ loved the church to the end you too, have loved Shuford and Connie to the end and we appreciate your witness to us all!!

      May the LORD bless you in this season you must travel through.