"My name is Oscar T. Bailey. Do I have any mail today?"
I looked through the resident mail boxes and found his empty slot.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Bailey. There doesn't seem to be anything here for you today."
Next thing I know Oscar is coming through the window and has his hands around my throat. There was no time to react. All I know is it took two nurses to pry his hands from my throat.
That was my introduction to Oscar T. Bailey. He was one of many residents who lived at the skilled nursing facility where I worked at the time. After that first traumatic encounter with Oscar, I knew to make sure he had "mail" every day. It could be in the form of an old magazine or an index card. Oscar was happy as long as he got something.
After awhile it seemed silly to give him all these things that would otherwise go in the trash. I don't know ... it just seemed his life, any life, deserves more than to receive the "left-overs". So from that day forward Oscar received postcards with various messages on them:
You are loved.
You are special.
Give someone a hug today.
After a few weeks his postcards became more personal:
Good morning Oscar -- today is going to be a beautiful day!
Happy Thursday, Oscar! Enjoy your day!
Oscar -- You are so special!
God loves YOU, Oscar
I thought I was in trouble with that last card.My hand went to my throat as I watched Oscar stand there, frozen in front of me. After what seemed an hour he looked up at me. In a voice thick with emotion he asked me, "God loves Oscar T. Bailey?" I nodded and assured him of God's love for him. I took several days of him receiving the same message before it really sank in.
On that day I watched as Oscar took his mail and crossed through the lobby to sit on a nearby bench. He sat there a long time until I noticed a sudden shift in his emotions. I found myself drawn to him so I went over to him and very quietly spoke his name.
"Oscar?"
Through tear-stained eyes he looked at me.
"God loves Oscar T. Bailey?"
"Yes, Oscar. God loves YOU. God loves Oscar T. Bailey."
"God loves me. God loves Oscar T. Bailey! GOD LOVES ME! GOD LOVES OSCAR T. BAILEY!" He was shouting and jumped up, pulling me along with him. He gave me the most incredible hug and then he was off, going up and down the halls and calling out to any whose attention he caught of God's love for them as well.
Oscar was one of those people who became entrenched in my heart. It was very difficult saying good-by to him when I left that job.
We all have those people -- the ones who have a place etched permanently on our hearts and in our minds. It took Oscar awhile to truly grasp the reality of God's love for him. I think such is the case for each of us. It is difficult to hear and receive such an incredible message of love and grace.
It was thirty-one years ago that I met Oscar. Ever since then it became my passion to make sure everyone heard the message of God's love. It remains my passion to this day. May YOU know the amazing grace and abundant love of God this day!
bebprov356.blogspot.com
I looked through the resident mail boxes and found his empty slot.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Bailey. There doesn't seem to be anything here for you today."
Next thing I know Oscar is coming through the window and has his hands around my throat. There was no time to react. All I know is it took two nurses to pry his hands from my throat.
That was my introduction to Oscar T. Bailey. He was one of many residents who lived at the skilled nursing facility where I worked at the time. After that first traumatic encounter with Oscar, I knew to make sure he had "mail" every day. It could be in the form of an old magazine or an index card. Oscar was happy as long as he got something.
After awhile it seemed silly to give him all these things that would otherwise go in the trash. I don't know ... it just seemed his life, any life, deserves more than to receive the "left-overs". So from that day forward Oscar received postcards with various messages on them:
You are loved.
You are special.
Give someone a hug today.
After a few weeks his postcards became more personal:
Good morning Oscar -- today is going to be a beautiful day!
Happy Thursday, Oscar! Enjoy your day!
Oscar -- You are so special!
God loves YOU, Oscar
I thought I was in trouble with that last card.My hand went to my throat as I watched Oscar stand there, frozen in front of me. After what seemed an hour he looked up at me. In a voice thick with emotion he asked me, "God loves Oscar T. Bailey?" I nodded and assured him of God's love for him. I took several days of him receiving the same message before it really sank in.
On that day I watched as Oscar took his mail and crossed through the lobby to sit on a nearby bench. He sat there a long time until I noticed a sudden shift in his emotions. I found myself drawn to him so I went over to him and very quietly spoke his name.
"Oscar?"
Through tear-stained eyes he looked at me.
"God loves Oscar T. Bailey?"
"Yes, Oscar. God loves YOU. God loves Oscar T. Bailey."
"God loves me. God loves Oscar T. Bailey! GOD LOVES ME! GOD LOVES OSCAR T. BAILEY!" He was shouting and jumped up, pulling me along with him. He gave me the most incredible hug and then he was off, going up and down the halls and calling out to any whose attention he caught of God's love for them as well.
Oscar was one of those people who became entrenched in my heart. It was very difficult saying good-by to him when I left that job.
We all have those people -- the ones who have a place etched permanently on our hearts and in our minds. It took Oscar awhile to truly grasp the reality of God's love for him. I think such is the case for each of us. It is difficult to hear and receive such an incredible message of love and grace.
It was thirty-one years ago that I met Oscar. Ever since then it became my passion to make sure everyone heard the message of God's love. It remains my passion to this day. May YOU know the amazing grace and abundant love of God this day!
Enjoying the Journey,
Debra
bebprov356.blogspot.com
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight.
-- Proverbs 3::5-6
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