She didn’t notice whether the power was on or not. She’s not worried about frozen pipes or that another round of cold is on the way. She didn’t feel the cold, though she normally is the one needing a blanket. She wasn’t asking for Pastor Moore, though she was always asking for him in recent months. You see, Sister Moore isn’t with us, she is in Heaven with JESUS!
We miss her loving words of wisdom and those hugs. Oh my how we miss those hugs! I’ve been getting hugs from Sister Moore for more than 25 years and I always looked forward to the next one. Now I really look forward to the next one, because I will get that one in Heaven!
No one is missing Sister Moore more than her loving husband. Pastor Moore can be rather grouchy sometimes, even when responding to Sister Moore. I often saw his softer side as Sister Moore grew increasingly feeble and he became her caregiver. Sister Moore forgot many of us as her memories faded, but she never forgot her love for him. In recent months, she couldn’t get more than a few steps away from him, without asking where “Daddy” is. She repeated “I love you Daddy” again and again, and Pastor Moore would gently reply “I love you too.”
When I left to live and work overseas, both Pastor and Sister Moore were going strong in their 70’s. Shepherding the Church and running the school kept them busy. They had a burden for souls and an amazing work ethic. When I moved back 16 years later, they were in their late 80’s and struggling to keep up the pace. What could I do but everything I could to help them out? I offered to help Pastor around his place after he became Sister Moore’s fulltime caregiver, but he kept saying he had to get things lined up first. I began helping his associate around the Church, so Pastor Moore wouldn’t feel bad that he no longer could.
Pastor and Sister Moore were always the first to arrive at Church and would endure the cold or heat, so the building would be comfortable when people arrived. I started getting there earlier to help out and was able to spend more time with Pastor and Sister Moore than ever before. I discovered Sister Moore often missed dinner, because Pastor Moore was in a hurry. I started bringing Fig Newton’s so they could eat something before service. There were two in a pack and Sister Moore would always save one for Pastor Moore.
The ushers and I often stayed with Sister Moore in the back of the Church while Pastor Moore preached and we would try to distract her when her mind wondered or she would suddenly want to leave. We would supply her with Mentos (candy) to keep her occupied until the service ended. After so many years of giving, Sister Moore needed us to give back some of the love she had given to all of us. We didn’t mind at all, because we love Sister Moore!
Now Sister Moore is with JESUS and giving him some of her precious hugs! No more sickness, no pain, she isn’t cold or hot, hungry or thirsty. Though her memories have returned, she knows how much GOD was there helping and drawing the lost to salvation. She’s so busy that she’s not even looking for “Daddy” but will give him a loving hug when he finally arrives. If you believe in JESUS as your LORD and Savior, you can get one of those hugs or maybe two!
Wayne Lance