No 'Aha' Moment

"Well, Mrs. Reisch!  I'd know you anywhere!" she said as Bob and I entered the funeral parlor. We had  come to the funeral of a 93 year old woman who was a member of our church, and I had no idea that this person was her daughter, Linda.  Embarassed, looking for clues as to why she'd know me anywhere, I asked her to help me to remember.  "My son, Steven, read a scripture at Jeff's funeral," she said. "They were good friends, about the same age."  I apologized profusely at my lack of memory, and sat down with the only other person, besides the pastor, I knew in the room.  Racking my brain, I asked this lady about the family formerly attending church.   But, no 'Aha' moment.  Linda came back to us with Stephen, and I said, "Nice to see you again, Stephen.  This is Jeff's dad, Mr. Reisch."  (I should have shaken his hand, but didn't.)  Turning again to my friend, I said, "I feel absolutely terrible that I can not remember Stephen taking part in Jeff's funeral!"  She smiled and said, "Times like that you're in a fog anyway.  You don't remember very much."  After the service I smiled as we shook Linda's hand, but left in another fog.  Thought about it for quite a while, but no 'Aha' moment.~~~Sometimes our lives make ripples we don't even remember, but for other people it's a long memory.  Lord, continue to bless the people whom Jeff blessed.  Thank you!

Advocates From Years Ago

 "Mrs. Reisch?"  Yes! We recognized each other at about the same time.  Chet Fery , known as The Bread Man, had just finished his presentation at our Lutheran Women's Communion Brunch program.  His audience listened closely to his stories - Breadtime Stories - about the people he has met while encouraging kids and adults to make bread.  He invited us to tell our own Bread stories, and emphasized the way the kindness of sharing bread (in the last 10 years, he has made over 30,000 loaves) can change peoples' lives.~~~As Chet Fery greeted the women afterward, he surprised me with his words, "Mrs. Reisch?  Yes!!  I knew Jeff!  He was a wonderful boy, full of love - unconditional love!"  Mrs. Fery had come with him, and she knew Jeff from his days at BOCES.  A double blessing!  It made my day!  Jeff's life has had a ripple effect 20 to 30 years later!!  Wow!  Lord!