Clay Center Presbyterian Manor
Living out ‘response ability’ NOVEMBER 2021
By Mary Bridges, chaplain NOTE: Our featured chaplain for November is Mary Bridges, chaplain at Salina Presbyterian Manor. Each month, we share a devotion from one of the chaplains around the PMMA® system in a nod to our faith-based roots in the Presbyterian Church.
My father, Henry, was an eighthgrade graduate and smarter than anyone I have known. He was a lifelong Lutheran. He did not verbalize his faith or quote scripture; he simply lived it, every day. He cared for my grandmother when she lived alone. She was eventually diagnosed with dementia and moved into a nursing home. My father continued to visit her, even though she didn’t recognize him and no longer spoke.
Season of thankfulness When the season of Thanksgiving comes, Marilyn Thomas finds many reasons for thanks. Her birthday is Nov. 24, so it has always fallen around Thanksgiving. Marilyn’s favorite tradition is getting to hang out with family and friends and then celebrating with pie. Last year she had a great-granddaughter born on her birthday as well. They used Marilyn’s name as the girl’s middle name — Micah Marilyn. Additionally, she has four kids, six grandkids, and six great-grandkids. Having a birthday around Thanksgiving is great because she can see everyone for two different reasons. As Thanksgiving approaches, we’d love to hear your favorite traditions, as well as the reasons you find to be thankful — not only now, but throughout the year. u
My father loved the land. After he retired from active farming, he leased a small amount of land north of Russell on Salt Creek. There he had a huge garden, and he shared his garden produce with everyone. One year, he raised turkeys. That November, he and my mom cleaned and dressed more than 20 turkeys, which my father distributed to family, friends and people he knew were struggling. He reserved one of those turkeys for a man who
Response ability – continued
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