PERRIN SAYS THE BLESSING

A number of years ago when my Mom Louise Collum was still with us, she suffered a stroke.  This was one of many medical problems that she had to endure throughout her later years.  Because of this stroke she lost much of her ability to speak.  She was unable to put together simple phrases or ideas. 

The doctor ordered speech therapy for her, for which we were thankful.  The sweet, kind therapist would come to our house several times a week and go over words and phrases with her.  She would teach her things like little songs and simple sayings.  They would count together and say their ABC's and then she would leave us with “homework” to do with her until her next visit.

One thing that we all wanted back then was for Mom to get back her ability to pray.  I know there is an old song somewhere that says, “If I could hear my mother pray again”.  Well, at that point in time I really wanted Mom to learn to pray again because it was always so much a part of our family gatherings.  Oh, I’m not saying that Mom was some kind of great orator.   Her prayers were not the kind you would hear in some great cathedral or some big evangelistic service.  Usually she prayed a little prayer she had learned in her early years.  I can hear her pray it now.

 “Lord, make us thankful for these and all of the blessings bestowed upon us.  Bless this food and sanctify it to the nourishment of our bodies and our hearts to thy service.  Amen.” 

I know it was a “learned” prayer because bestowed and nourishment were not words that were normally in my Mom’s vocabulary.  But to us it was important for Mom to pray again because we knew, to use another old phrase from a song, “When Mama prayed, Heaven paid attention”. 

So we started Mom out saying a simple prayer.  She would work day after day trying to say “Thank you Jesus for the food”.  It didn’t come easy.  Many times we would have to help her.  Many times she would forget the next word.  Sometimes she would just stop and shake her head and smile.  She knew what she wanted to say but it just wasn’t coming out right. 

I guess you know it was exciting for us the day Mama could actually sit down at the table and by herself, without any help, bow her head and say “Thank you Jesus for the food. Amen” 

That little event was brought back into my memory this weekend.  My brand new grandson, William Monroe (Liam) Collum was born.  He is grandchild number eight for Nana and Grump.  What a beautiful, active young man he is.  As I write this little story, he has just arrived at his home in Calera.  Actually it is the same house where my Mom, and his great grandmother lived for many years.

While Liam and his parents were at the hospital his big brother Perrin came to spend the weekend with us.  Perrin’s little cousin Kinsley also came to give Perrin someone to play with besides his grumpy old grandpa. 

Nana prepared the meal and we sat down to eat.  In the past we would have to remind these two little ones to stop, bow their heads and fold their hands and “say the blessing”.  Today was different.  Perrin wanted to say the blessing. 

So as we bowed our heads and closed our eyes (well, not all of us closed our eyes) Perrin said, “Thank you Jesus for the food.  Amen”.  Kinsley broke out into applause.  "Good boy, Grump" she yelled.  I don't know why I was getting positive reinforcement, it was Perrin who prayed the prayer.  Nana said, “Good boy Perrin”, and Grump patted him on the back and told him how proud of him he was.

And I don’t know if this actually happened or not but it’s my story so let me run with it.   Somewhere, wherever heaven is located and wherever the saints of God go when they leave this place, there is one of those saints named Louise Collum looking over the rails of heaven and smiling that big ole smile.  You know, I think she recognized the prayer.