Published: December 29, 2007 11:50 pm            

Thanks to East Mississippi

Once again it's Christmas time at East Mississippi State Nursing Home, on Dec. 20, they had their annual Christmas party for the patients there.

My wife has been a patient there going on six years, she has Alzheimer's disease. Never has she gotten better care than at EMSH, as all the patients there. The director, nurses, aides, staff workers give all patients a lot of TLC. My wife and I have been married for 54 years. I asked her one day at home, why have we been together for so long, I know the answers, but wanted to hear from her, she replied, "Because we care for one another." I cannot, nor will not turn my back on her! God would strike me down with His mighty hand! She has been my lover, companion and friend all these years. One day I asked a nurse, "I guess you get tired of seeing me everyday out here?" She replied, "No! We know you care about your wife!"

These patients at EMSH were home owners, tax payers, shoppers in our city. Some never see their relatives. Please go and visit these people. See a smile on their faces, maybe a tear in their eye. Bring joy to them. I speak to the patients there every time I visit. There is a little black lady there, I call her "Miss Mary." One day she looked kind of down, I held her hands and said, "Miss Mary, I know someone who loves you." She said who? I replied, "Jesus loves you!" She said "I know He does!" It gave me a joy when she said that and tears came into my eyes.

Perhaps, I get too sentimental about Christmas. But what is Christmas? To celebrate Jesus' Birthday. If it was not for Christ we would not have Christmas.

Once again, hats off to EMSH and all the wonderful staff they have there. I love you all.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!



Willie Schanroch

        

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