Billy Graham

I read this story and thought it was really good...hope you enjoy it too.


Billy Graham is now 86 years old with Parkinson's disease. In January 2000, leaders in Charlotte, North Carolina, invited their favorite son, Billy Graham, to a luncheon in his honor. Billy initially hesitated to accept the invitation because he struggles with Parkinson's disease. But the Charlotte leaders said, "We don't expect a major address. Just come and let us honor you." So he agreed. After wonderful things were said about him, Dr. Graham stepped to the rostrum, looked at the crowd, and said, "I'm reminded today of Albert Einstein, the great physicist who this month has been honored by Time magazine as the Man of the Century. Einstein was once traveling from Princeton on a train when the conductor came down the aisle, punching the tickets of every passenger. When he came to Einstein, Einstein reached in his vest pocket. He couldn't find his ticket, so he reached in his trouser pockets. It wasn't there, so he looked in his briefcase but couldn't find it. Then he looked in the seat beside him. He still couldn't find it. The conductor said, "Dr. Einstein, I know who you are. We all know who you are. I'm sure you bought a ticket. Don't worry about it." Einstein nodded appreciatively. The conductor continued down the aisle punching tickets. As he was ready to move to the next car, he turned around and saw the great physicist down on his hands and knees looking under his seat for his ticket. The conductor rushed back and said, "Dr. Einstein, Dr. Einstein, don't worry, I know who you are. No problem. You don't need a ticket. I'm sure you bought one." Einstein looked at him and said, "Young man, I too, know who I am. What I don't know is where I'm going." Having said that Billy Graham continued, "See the suit I'm wearing? It's a brand new suit. My wife, my children, and my grandchildren are telling me I've gotten a little slovenly in my old age. I used to be a bit more fastidious. So I went out and bought a new suit for this luncheon and one more occasion. You know what that occasion is? This is the suit in which I'll be buried. But when you hear I'm dead, I don't want you to immediately remember the suit I'm wearing. I want you to remember this: I not only know who I am...I also know where I'm going."

I can't sleep...

It's 1:32 am and I can't sleep. I've had trouble sleeping all week because of the pain in my knee. I saw the orthopedic surgeon today and told him my knee is worse after the surgery. He suspected that after he got in there and saw the arthritis. So today they gave me a cortisone shot into the joint. He's hoping to reduce the inflammation so they can inject the Supartz in a month or so...if my insurance will cover it. He said it's really expensive. Anyway...I can't sleep tonight because of the cortisone, I think. When I took it orally in the past it made me feel hyper and jittery so I assume that's the problem now too. At least I don't have to work tomorrow...so if I do finally get to sleep, I'll be able to sleep in! We start our Summer Reading Program next week so I really need to be alert and able to stand a lot! Molly and Betsy are coming down on Friday too so I'll have that to look forward to also! I guess I'll go to Pogo and play some Texas Hold 'Em until I get drowsy.

Some new Betsy & family photos

He danced with me!

This weekend was my 40th high school reunion! It was really a lot of fun. We had a very nice meal at the country club and then an entertainer played and sang all the old songs from the 60's that we danced to in high school. John was a bit nervous about going...he's a bit self conscious because he grew up really poor and never really had much self esteem. You'd never know it if you were around him now. He's very handsome (in my opinion) and very articulate. Anyway...he agreed to go and we both really enjoyed it. It was almost surreal seeing people I hadn't seen in 40 years. They had the same faces but now with wrinkles and white hair! A couple of them I didn't recognize at all but most people I knew at first glance. One classmate went to live in Australia and teach music there about 30 years ago and now she's a genuine Aussie...she sounds just like the Crocodile Hunter! Another classmate is an actor in Hong Kong...he came to the Friday night reception so I missed seeing him since I had to work. It was really fun getting reacquainted with former classmates. Getting hugs from old "crushes" was an odd feeling too. John doesn't like to dance so I didn't either...we just watched the others. But when the last song came on it was "The Unchained Melody" by the Righteous Brothers. John said, that's your favorite old song isn't it? Then he took my hand and led me to the dance floor and we slow-danced like teenagers. It was soooo cool! You have to realize that's a giant leap for him. I felt so loved! I laughed when it was over and said "Now I can die happy!" See...you can be almost 60 and still be romantic!

Betsy having fun at mealtime 

Visit with the girls...

Last Wednesday after work, John and I drove to Grand Rapids to spend some time with Molly and Betsy. Myron had to spend the week in California doing business for his company, Gospel Light Publishing. We spent Thursday and Friday working on the house...getting everything ship-shape for Myron's return on Saturday. It was really hot all week and we were very thankful for air conditioning! Saturday we went to East Grand Rapids to an art show on the street. There were lots of artisans there with all kinds of art...photography, watercolors, jewelry, pottery...too many to mention! It was REALLY hot so we browsed but didn't buy anything. Then we had a wonderful lunch at Rose's Restaurant by Reed's Lake. Betsy had her first "kid's meal"...and she really enjoyed the macaroni & cheese and applesauce. She's very independent and wanted to feed herself so Molly let her enjoy...and left a big tip for the waitress to clean up the mess! We really had a great time with the girls and hated to leave. Myron flew in that afternoon so we got a short visit with him too. Joel and Wendy had just returned from their New York trip so we didn't get to visit them this time. It's so hard to be so far away from the family...at least I'll get to see all of them again in July at my dad's birthday party!

Standing alone!

Molly, Betsy & me at Reed's Lake

A beautiful visit to Reed's Lake

Hiding...

Grandpa John and Betsy

Betsy's toy corner

Sunday

I don't often blog on Sundays...they're usually so busy. Today we went to the 8:30 service and then Sunday school. It was a nice change. I got to see a lot more people! The 2nd service is our contemporary service...the first is more traditional. We had communion today. Our pastor's sermon was an in-depth exposition of communion and it's meaning. It was very interesting and inspiring. We had an all-church picnic at the Conservation club. The weather was really overcast and sprinkling when we got there. We had a wonderful meal...lots and lots of food. I talked John into sticking my fishing pole in the trunk so I fished after the meal with a few of the kids...until it started pouring really cold rain! So we ran to the enclosed shelter and played games inside. It was a really enjoyable time with all our church family. That rain really made me cold and sleepy...I've been fighting a nap ever since we got home. I knew if I napped I'd never rest tonight. My mom called and was really worried about me driving to Michigan alone. She was very relieved to find that John had gotten time off to go with me. I was a bit nervous about going alone too, but I think I could have managed. I used to drive alone to pick the kids up from college and got along fine...of course, Grand Rapids is a lot farther than Winona Lake! I'm so excited to have a few days with Molly and the baby. Molly is going to have her dad try to child-proof their house since Betsy is crawling everywhere! I can't wait to kiss those chubby little cheeks. My friend Missy had her baby last week. They knew he was going to be born with Down Syndrome but he also had hydrops and there was a real possibility he wouldn't survive. He's still in the ICU but is holding his own. Missy is so amazing. She has a 5 year old daughter and a 4 year old son and runs a home daycare besides doing all the planning and directing of our upcoming VBS. I really admire her stamina and faithfulness. I'm praying that little Evan will grow and be healthy and bring them great joy.

I love this picture...

I love the personality that beams from this picture. I look at it when I'm missing Betsy and it always makes me smile! I get to see her next week. John and I are going up to stay with Molly and Betsy from Wednesday through Sunday while Myron is away on business! It will be such fun!

My sweet Betsy...

Miss Bonnie

My supervisor, Bonnie, celebrated 20 years at the library. We surprised her by decorating her office and putting up a banner. We gave her a lovely desk clock with her name on it. To most of the children of Winchester, Miss Bonnie, IS the library. She reads stories to them on Thursdays and Saturdays. She sings songs, laughs with them, listens to their cute little lisps as they "show and tell" about their most recent toy and generally makes them feel loved. And I know they make her feel loved too. Congratulations, Bonnie, on 20 years of love and laughter!

My supervisor, Bonnie...20 years at the library!

Our Children's Department

The past couple of weeks have been so hectic...it's a good thing my knee healed quickly. I'm still pretty stiff at times but we've been so busy at the library that I haven't had time to think about it. We haven't had as many kids up there yet because the weather's been really nice and I imagine they're playing outside or at the pool. But we've been getting ready for our summer activities so that's been really hectic.