Reader,

​My mother-in-law’s birthday is coming up in three days, though she left us five years ago at age 96 to be with Jesus.

She was one of the kindest people I've ever met. I talked about Elda in the second episode of my podcast, which aired in 2018.

That’s her on the left in the photo taken by a staff member at the memory care facility where she spent the last few years of her life.

I love this picture. It’s one of my all-time favorites because it captures Elda’s character and the essence of who she was. It defines her far more than as an Alzheimer’s victim.

Near the end of her life she couldn’t remember much. She didn’t know where she lived and often asked, “This is a nice hotel, but when can I go home?’

Elda would also ak where Eddy was, her husband of 60+ years, who died in 2009.

And with an apologetic smile would ask her daughter, “Now who are you again?”

Many of you know what this is like. You have loved ones like my mother-in-law. My heart goes out to you.

While at the end of her life, Elda remembered so very little, she did not have to remember to reflect the image and likeness of God because it was hard-wired into her character. It just flowed out of who she was.

She didn’t have to remember to help feed the lady in the photo. Elda could barely feed herself. But when she saw the woman at her table in need something triggered inside her to be the person God created her to be.

May the same be true for all of us, no matter what challenges we face.

Until next time, I wish you all the joy you can wish for.*

John Certalic

P.S. If you missed last week’s podcast episode, you can listen to it (or read the show notes) when you click here.​

  • The Merchant of Venice, Act III, scene 2