Reposted from Joni and Friends daily devotional:

"Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life." 
Proverbs 16:31 

When Ken and I were in Russia, we befriended an old woman who cleaned the floors of our hotel lobby every day. Through an interpreter, we complimented her on doing an excellent job. Old and wrinkled, her round and red cheeks were framed with a tightly knotted colorful scarf. Her face sparkled with her blue eyes and golden-toothed smile. She had on layers of skirts and wore leggings and boots. With broom in hand, our elderly friend looked out of place in the hotel lobby; maybe that's why we were drawn to her. 

Last evening my wife was curled up on the sofa asleep while I watched a Duck Dynasty episode of Phil and Kay having a surprise re-wedding thrown for them on the day of their 49th wedding anniversary. As teenagers they were married at the courthouse, so their family wanted to give them their first real wedding.

Re-posted with permission from the author:

A TRUE HONOR 
A Chance Meeting With Some Of Our National Treasures

As I exited the plane in Denver to run to my connecting flight home, what did I see as soon as I got into the terminal? The most impressive sight I have seen in a long time. Thirty-Two WWII / Korean War Veterans. They were on their way to visit the WWII War Memorial in Washington D.C. (through the kindness of The Rocky Mountain Honor Flights Program). I knew I was rushed to get to my gate, as the boarding process for my connecting flight had already begun. But I just couldn’t walk by these Wonderful Men without stopping to recognize them and thank them for their courage, valor and sacrifices for the FREEDOMS we all enjoy. I met as many as I could around the gate and asked several of their chaperones if they would mind me taking their picture. They smiled and said I am sure they would love to. So, they scurried to gather this group together, I loudly thanked them all for their services and sacrifices, blessed them and we all did a thumbs and took the special picture you now see. 

In our very "social" society we have become somewhat isolated, often not knowing much or anything about our neighbors. My wife and I have neighbors who are very friendly, and we speak when we see each other. There are also some in our neighborhood who are easily overlooked.

I am writing this blog the day after the second Fort Hood Shooting – 4/3/14. As expected all news outlets are reporting on the tragic event. Any loss of life is tragic. Therefore, we mourn the death of those killed and pray for those who were injured.

With the Midwest having had one of the worst winters on record, my daughter's yard was soaked from melting snow and rain. While moving her car the front wheels left the driveway, getting stuck in the mud. The more she and her husband worked to free the car the worse the situation became.

Elder Source is new to the social marketing scene. The delay is my own fault, but I am glad to have finally begun with the help and encouragement of two volunteers. I logged on a few minutes ago and was looking at the main picture on our Facebook page. An elderly man, standing with the help of a walker, is looking out a window.

I spent the middle part of this week in a conference for activity directors who work in senior care facilities. I was entering trip expenses into QuickBooks when I noticed something on a breakfast receipt that read, “1 SENIOR BUFFET BKFST.”

Following World War II our nation was prospering after nearly three decades of war and extreme financial turmoil. For the next eighteen years (1946-1964) our country was blessed with the births of some eighty million children… the Baby Boomers. Our culture reacted and so did the church. Programs for children and teens spread like a wild fire. Bus ministries became the norm. Youth pastors were hired in record numbers. Numerous youth organizations, such as Campus Crusade and Youth for Christ, were either birthed or flourished during this time.

During the coldest days of one of the worst winters on record, an 86 year-old man asked his daughter to take him to the nursing home so he could visit some of the residents. The daughter was reluctant, but agreed. She feared her father would fall on the icy sidewalks and parking lot.