Ephesians 5:19 says, “singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart.” Friday was a very special day for me. It was this past Friday that we got a visit from my Aunt Sue and my cousin Brent. Two people who mean a great deal to me. They lifted my spirits! It has been years since I have seen either one of them. Brent was thoughtful enough to bring along his guitar and blessed me with both some Christian songs and some great soft rock songs which brought back a lot of fond memories. He brought joy to my heart as I journeyed back to where I was when I sang the song myself (As I once wrote, I was a karaoke DJ) or remembered listening to them. Music has always had that effect on me. I wish I was able to sing along with Brent, although he is a much better singer than I ever was. I just closed my eyes and enjoyed being serenaded. I found myself trying to keep the beat with my left hand, awkwardly tapping the bed. Since Brent and I are fairly close in age, we share an appreciation for the same types of music and singers. I always wanted to play guitar like he can. I even took lessons at one time. About the farthest I got was learning a simple version of Folsom Prison Blues and part of Leaving on a Jet Plane. Brent even got his first guitar from our grandpa. Now we just get him to wear a funny wig like Grandpa used to do when he played for all of us kids. They stayed for as long as they could, but eventually, they needed to head back down the road. Aunt Sue had a good long talk with Jonell while Brent played. Aunt Sue knows the challenges and stress that can come from being a caregiver. She used to do it herself for my late Uncle Teddy. Aunt Sue and Brent bid us goodbye. They promised to come back soon for another visit. They are two of the kindest people I know. They made me very happy. Brent even said that I should send him a list of some songs I’d like him to play the next time they are here. Before they left, we all joined hands and first Aunt Sue and then Brent led us in prayer. It was the perfect way to end the visit. But in my heart, they’re still with me. Family can be hard and awkward sometimes. But I can honestly say I can never remember a time when that was the case with these two. It has never been fake or forced. They fit like your favorite pair of jeans. They make me want to get better faster so that I can travel and see them more often. Meantime, I’ll have to remain in this bed and wait until they can get back on a visit. They just left and already I find myself missing them.
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