Written by Nora Jane Palmer Fox

Click here to see Rambling Along with Nora Blog

October, 2015

For several years at 9:00 on Sunday morning, I rush to the Show Up and Sing choir.  And for several years, I have passed ladies sharing coffee and conversation at a round table in the narthex.  “Who are these women?” I wonder.

I notice, not just the coffee, but the sharing of smiles and laughter.  Each week, they seem comfortable with each other’s company.  So one day, with the help of Judy Stephens, I have the pleasure of meeting with them.

Today, at our table are Mary Lou Butefish,  Dorothy Grosenheider, Judy Stephens and Donna Roquemore  At another meeting, I meet Dorothy Pope and Betty Taylor-Vineyard.  As we talk, Jane Johnson greets all of us as “The Silver Foxes”.  The ladies tell me they have also been called “The Golden Girls”.  Eventually Sharon Strawn joins our discussion.  Ann Weaver, not present today, often joins them for coffee. I am told that Betty Taylor-Vineyard is the oldest member of the group.  Fascinating to learn that Betty rides a two wheel bike!  I check this out with Betty (I know Betty from aqua aerobics at the Recreation Center).  Betty says it is just a smaller two wheel bike.  No big deal but I am pretty sure Betty tears up the road.  Betty recalls the time that the ladies surprised her with accessories for her bike….a loud bell to signal others on the trail she is approaching and bright streamers to flow out of her handle bars.   When in Arizona to escape the Colorado winter, she uses her bike. Note to self: do not compete with Betty on her bike since, I’ve noted, her endurance in the pool is far superior to mine.

They started meeting, informally, more than a decade ago, enjoying each other’s company at church and also at the Parker Senior Center.  “It was sort of an accident.  We just all gathered after the first service.”  “They all looked like fun when I met them.”  “Jean Darcer invited me.” 

Would you believe these Golden Girls participate in rigorous aerobics every week? Walking and even kick boxing are part of their weekly routine.   They say their goal in weekly work outs is “to try to stay upright.”  Once a week they meet for coffee after exercise.

No, No, This is not one of our ladies!!

As they forget I am there and just have their usual conversation, I am taking notes furiously and, I have to admit, I do not know who said what.  It’s all so good.  

They grew up in an era when you dressed up even with hats and gloves when you went to church.  One look and it is apparent they continue this tradition.  Each one is well put together.  Sharon Strawn and I express our love for clothes from Soft Surroundings. They agree in the belief that, in looking your best, you honor our Lord and His church.  All have experienced loss…loss of a spouse, a friend, loss of health and, they agree, the worst kind of loss…loss of a child.  As a group, they have suffered through unimaginable physical and mental pain.  But still, they soldier on and this fellowship supports them through life’s joys and sorrows.

SUNSHINE ON MY SHOULDER

 They relate how their friends in the mid-west seem to be having more health problems than they.  They attribute this to the sunshine in Colorado.  On the internet, I find the following:

“– In the Denver area there are probably only 30-40 totally overcast days per year, and some of them are even fairly bright — about 300 days would have at least one hour of sunshine sometime during the day, but only about 115 days per year fit the classic definition of “clear”.

Colorado Climate Center – Questions and Answersclimate.atmos.colostate.edu/questions.php

 From the author: It has been my experience that, with so many sunny days, even when cold, we get out, exercise and surround ourselves with other happy people escaping the gloom of the house AND HOUSEWORK!

 “THIS IS OUR BIGGEST SOCIAL TIME.”

 “ We talk about normal stuff like solving world problems.”  Joyous laughter.  The blessing of good health, added to their friendship, is not taken for granted by these women.

“We don’t act our age” is a huge part of life.  We launch into a discussion about how we (people over 60) are lumped into categories, words and negative expressions:

declining years, decrepitude, winter of life, infirmity, elderly, evening of life, archaic and let’s not forget……obsolete

In 2015, chronological age often just does not fit these descriptions.  Our use of assistive devices should describe us as resourceful, ingenious, clever and astute.  Our courageous journey through joint replacement, cataract surgery, chemo, etc., etc. should mark us as  heroines.  We band of sisters are modern day Don Quixotes.

“The wounds received in battle bestow honor, they do not take it away…”
― Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, Don Quixote  

These magnificent women converged to this time and place from Minnesota, Illinois, Wyoming, Indiana, Colorado, and Washington, D.C.

ON LOVING PARKER UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

They express their appreciation for the sermons and the music the choir provides.  Friendships at PUMC and the senior center are counted as blessings. They have quietly served the church in choir, tending to the flowers, teaching Sunday School, leading the women’s group in another church and cleaning the pews.  Sharon often shares her piano talent, beautifully accompanying many soloists at PUMC.  She states gathering around this table has become a gratifying habit.  It should be of no surprise that, in 2014, Judy Stephens was the Parker United Methodist nominee for the Quiet Disciple Award at the Rocky Mountain Conference.  Ruth Wills explains this prestigious honor to me:

  “Judy Stephens was our Parker UMC‘s nomination for Quiet Disciple in 2014.  ….. “Quiet Disciples are exactly that – quiet!  These individuals, by their very nature, would rather serve without being recognized.  They are people who can always be counted on to help when there is a need.”

Authors note: Judy was one of the first persons I met at PUMC.  She was quietly watering all the plants and I thought, at that time, she was a paid gardener.

ON GETTING THROUGH LIFE

 Animated conversation leads to astute observations that must be shared with all who will listen as these noble ladies express life lessons so well.

•  Model your faith so that others see Christ in you.
• Don’t worry about what has been
• Be positive.  Take one day at a time. 
• Have friends that support you and will let you“vent” .
• Faith and friends plus a son who is very patient and helpful.
• My parents were Christians and taught me to believe in the Lord and follow the Golden Rule.
• Through faith and maintaining an optimistic attitude as often as possible.
• If you are “down in the dumps”, get out, go someplace even if it is just to the drug store.
• Share your friendship and camaraderie.
• Be thankful at all times for your health.
• Say prayers every day, no matter what.
• Slow down and enjoy life – everyone is in a big hurry.
• Know that there is always hope.

ON FEARS FOR OUR WORLD AS WE MOVE FORWARD

 Loss of Chrisitanity and ISIS, they agree, are their greatest fears as we all move forward.

ISIS (“Latin, the goddess Isis, from Ancient Greek. (Islamism) Initialism of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (a terrorist group)”

Author note: On doing these Spotlights, I am always drawn to research and, in most cases, I am lead to report my own conclusions.  So here goes:

“In short, ISIS is not an independent religion. Its ideology is essentially a zombified, fundamentalist reflection of Islamic principles. On Monday, theIndependent reported that UK Prime Minister David Cameron described the ideology that fuels ISIS as “stemming from an extremist narrative which hijacks the religion of Islam.” Cameron’s description is a fairly accurate one; ISIS maintains its grip on its followers, which include 42 million Muslims according to Express, by justifying its policies of violence and sexual enslavement with bizarre, draconian interpretations of actual Islamic scripture. The fundamentalist group convinces people to follow its demands for “true Muslims” by portraying itself as a legitimate defender of Islam.” KYLIE CHEUNG

July 2 NEWS   www.bustle.com  (bold and italics added)

 My conclusion: Who would not be afraid of such an evil presence as this conglomeration of hate and especially hate toward anyone professing Christ as Savior?  Fear overwhelms me even as I type this but then I am drawn to one of my favorite passages from a Pharasee sent to punish Christians. (See Acts 22:4-5) Of course, we all remember that, as he traveled the road to Damascus, this Pharisee was struck and blinded by God.  This is the great apostle we now know as St. Paul.  After Paul’s conversion, he faced persecution and death and yet he wrote:

” ³⁵ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ³⁶ As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

Romans 8:35-36; Psalm 44:22  NIV  (bold added)

My further conclusion: We may never be allowed to defeat the evil of ISIS and so many other evils.  But we have the resounding promise from Our Lord through Jesus that we will never be defeated.  St. Paul confirms this so eloquently.  

Mary Lou, Dorothy, Dorothy Pope, Judy, Donna, Ann, Betty and so many I have not met have been confronted with grief, pain, loneliness.  Each time that they or any of us put one foot in front of the other and continue to breathe in and breathe out, seeking  fellowship with each other….Each time it is the Holy Spirit residing in us, holding us.  And, with each plodding step, we trample evil!

WE NEED MORE ROUND TABLES OF NOBLE MEN AND WOMEN

When I started this conversation with the elegant women of the round table, I never expected to be so moved.  They are gentle souls and yet, firm in their friendships and in their faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.  They emphasize “there’s always hope”, even though life is not constantly easy.  All agree on the promise of their favorite Bible verse is

John 3:16….

 “FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY SON, SO THAT EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM MAY NOT PERISH BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE.” NIV