We had an interesting weekend. Lynn and I left Friday afternoon for Nashville where we met up with my sister and her husband, had a great dinner together and spent the night. Next morning, the four of us drove out to Antioch, TN to visit our first cousin, Wayne and his wife, Ouida. Wayne is in the intermediate stage of Parkinson’s disease and is part of a research project at Vanderbilt looking at various options for treating the disease. Ouida fixed us a great lunch on Saturday before we all drove an hour east to look at Wayne and Ouida’s retirement property, 30-or-so beautiful wooded acres overlooking a gorgeous lake. There, we met up with another cousin whom we hadn’t seen in several years.
Wayne has a great attitude about his Parkinson’s. He sees his life as anything but over. He remains active, plays golf daily, still rides his horses, still works, still involved in the leadership of his church and still considers all he does as ministry. He and Ouida have raised three children to be Jesus lovers and productive citizens. Our time with the Thurmans and Holts was encouraging and renewing.
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One great blessing to my job as a truck driver is the absence of stress. Unlike most jobs I’ve had over the past 40 years, truck driving is relatively stress free. Once I make my deliveries each day, I forget about work. I don’t have committee meeting. I don’t supervise anyone. I am not responsible for budgets or productivity goals or customer satisfaction (as long as I make my deliveries on time). And as a result of no stress, I no longer suffer the physical effects that stress once induced. I sleep well at night, eat well (too well, at times) and get along better with others. I no longer run with sissors or cheat at checkers. Thanks to God, I am as content with day to day living as I have ever been.
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On this Father’s Day, my sons and wife honored me with wonderful gifts and sentiments. As I read my sons’ carefully composed notes, I kept wondering “who are they talking about?” Such gestures make all the strains of rearing children worth it. Watching our sons grow into good men is gratifying beyond words. Their lives alone are gifts enough to last a lifetime.
Wayne Holt said
Steve (and Lynn): What a joy for Ouida and me to have the Holt’s and Thurman’s in our home for fellowship, food, and a trip to Granville. You honored me wtth your effort required to come to check on me. I appreciate your kind words about dealing with my “thorn in the flesh”, but it is really easy to have an appropriate attitude when one realizes how good God is! And the fact that we have had such godly examples in our family by those who have gone to be with the Lord.
Again, thanks for coming to visit. I don’t think I can tell you how much it meant/means to me.
Love to you all!
Wayne
Nancy said
Steve, what a blessing to have raised children who honor you and the Lord with their lives. I am praying that one day, my boys will honor the Lord, too.
Steve Holt Sr. said
Wayne, the pleasure of the visit was ours. Thanks so much to Ouida for the outstanding lunch. We truly had a great time and look forward to other visits. (When we come, could we get lunch again?)
Nancy, I am indeed blessed beyond what I deserve.