When you look in the dictionary under the word spunky, you would find a picture of this dear friend of mine, Charlene Hendricks.
Charlene past away November 7, 2012. It is hard for me to believe that the picture in this collage in the upper right corner was Charlene's 96th birthday which was this past February.
The first time I met Charlene & her husband Sam, was when I was walked into Community Bible Church for the first time. Before I walked into the church, I thought to myself, "the first people I meet are going to end up beng very special to me in this church." This happened to be a very true statement.
Sam & Charlene were married, I think for 62-66 yr. They had the same birthday & they both loved bridge. In fact it was Charlene who asked me to join her bridge group. I wrote about them in the blog: Bridge & Sisterhood-Sept 21, 11. Both Sam & Charlene loved their family, Joy the children's dog, their friends, their church, but most of all their LORD. They were big prayer warriors. They had the gift of hospitality & loved developing relationships around the kitchen table playing bridge.
Sam was quiet & love poured out of him. Charlene, definitely loved people, but she definitely had a spunky personality that couldn't help but make you laugh. We were meeting at Charlene's home one afternoon to play bridge. We were doing our normal routine of catching-up, eating, laughing & playing some bridge. Sam had a beautiful gazebo built on their property. All of a sudden, Charlene was telling us about how this gazebo was built just for her. Then she started telling us about how Sam put this life size stuffed man sitting out in the gazebo. She was appauled & felt that since this was her gazebo, Sam should not have put this "man" out there. That was all she could see looking out her kitchen window. He was dressed really tacky & Charlene hated it. I think Sam did it to just get her goat. We were laughing the belly laugh as she would tell us all about the situation. I wish I could really write how funny it truly was, but I do remember the joy we all had together discussing it.
Charlene was true to herself & her convictions. I had the joy of studying the Bible with her many times, but one study in particular we met in my home for a season. This is where I began to learn of Charlene's heart in a more deep matter.
I began to get to know Charlene & Sam when they were in their late 80's. Even though Sam would drive them around, most of the time, we would meet in their home. Their home was unique because the upstairs was totally separate from the downstairs. Their children lived upstairs & they lived downstairs. One of my favorite decorations in their home was a beautiful professional hand painted picture of them walking through a garden holding hands. That was their life. They had been married for 62 yr. Sam died right after his 82nd birthday & Charlene pasted away at 86 yr.
Charlene was true to herself & her convictions. I had the joy of studying the Bible with her many times, but one study in particular we met in my home for a season. This is where I began to learn of Charlene's heart in a more deep matter.
I began to get to know Charlene & Sam when they were in their late 80's. Even though Sam would drive them around, most of the time, we would meet in their home. Their home was unique because the upstairs was totally separate from the downstairs. Their children lived upstairs & they lived downstairs. One of my favorite decorations in their home was a beautiful professional hand painted picture of them walking through a garden holding hands. That was their life. They had been married for 62 yr. Sam died right after his 82nd birthday & Charlene pasted away at 86 yr.
Charlene moved to an assisting living facility during her last few years of life. When you would walk into Charlene's room, her face would just glow. She was always ready to give you a hug & kiss.
Charlene had more consistent visitors in a week than anyone could count. People enjoyed her, & she enjoyed them. You could talk to her about anything & she would really listen to what you needed to say.
One of the greatest lessons I learned from Charlene is how to grow old graciously. I observed a woman who still needed to work at being married in old age; lost her soul mate of more than 60 yrs; had to move from her home to an assisted living home. She did this with God's grace, dignity & syle. She accepted her ailments, but still did what she could & choice to choose joy throughout her days.
Highlands will never be the same for me when I visit, because she was the hub of our group. The other four of us would come to her since she could not get out too much accept for going to church. It is going to seem so strange not to go & visit her & spend at least one afternoon playing bridge with her.
Charlene was called "Precious" by her grandchildren. She was a precious lady, & a precious friend. I'll miss her friendship.
I can see Sam meeting her at heavens door, dancing their way for her to meet Jesus, then on to see other loved ones that have gone before, & then I'm sure a game of bridge is set up right around the corner for them to play.
I hate that I didn't get to tell Charlene good-bye one more time, but I know she knew I loved her & I know that she loved me. See you soon.
Charlene had more consistent visitors in a week than anyone could count. People enjoyed her, & she enjoyed them. You could talk to her about anything & she would really listen to what you needed to say.
One of the greatest lessons I learned from Charlene is how to grow old graciously. I observed a woman who still needed to work at being married in old age; lost her soul mate of more than 60 yrs; had to move from her home to an assisted living home. She did this with God's grace, dignity & syle. She accepted her ailments, but still did what she could & choice to choose joy throughout her days.
Highlands will never be the same for me when I visit, because she was the hub of our group. The other four of us would come to her since she could not get out too much accept for going to church. It is going to seem so strange not to go & visit her & spend at least one afternoon playing bridge with her.
Charlene was called "Precious" by her grandchildren. She was a precious lady, & a precious friend. I'll miss her friendship.
I can see Sam meeting her at heavens door, dancing their way for her to meet Jesus, then on to see other loved ones that have gone before, & then I'm sure a game of bridge is set up right around the corner for them to play.
I hate that I didn't get to tell Charlene good-bye one more time, but I know she knew I loved her & I know that she loved me. See you soon.
ann :)
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