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| Your
special touch turns simple things into something extraordinary. |
| Photograph by Graham Cooper |
Esther and Her Special Touch
Your special touch turns simple things into something extraordinary.
Simple things like a country meal made elegant enough to set before a king,
or a bouquet of flowers, grown and nurtured with tenderness by your own loving hands,
arranged to perfection,
and placed as an offering on God's altar,
or generously given to grace the home of one of your sons and daughters-in-law.
When the stars came out and the whippoorwill called, and your weary children, having come from miles away, made their way to bed,
your magic touch was there again - in Neiman-Marcus sheets and beautiful coverings.
While our bodies rested, your special touch brought refreshing to our souls as well.
Your porcelain birds became our friends, as they watched silently from their shelves,
as your family and guests gathered and conversed around bountiful dining with settings of exquisite china and centerpieces of your own fragrant roses and glorious gladiolas.
And Esther, did you think we didn't notice the special care with which you hand-picked each gift?
That perfect selection, the one that made each of us feel special and loved?
We noticed too, the pains you took in caring for your husband.
We saw the way you fed him and dressed him so beautifully for his very special vocation.
Through all the churches and people, and all the circumstances of their lives, you were there.
Through the births, the weddings and even death, through times of joy and seasons of trial,
you walked encouragingly beside him.
You have been a lovely garland about his neck and you have lightened his load with your special touch,
thus making your own contribution to the kingdom of God.
We thank you for your sons who have brought such joy to our lives, with character and love of God,
strong anchors and role models for their families and others.
And now, Esther, in life's twilight years, we your family, honor you and acknowledge all the good you've done. Through the joys and sorrow - through laughter and tears, you've strewn petals of beauty along the path of your life with your special touch.
We have observed, we've been the beneficiaries, and we've learned from your example. Our lives have all been enriched by yours.
Copyright Daphne Harrington 1999