Ms. Beth Brand died on April 8th, 2017, two days prior to her 95th Birthday. She was a recent resident of the Oaks Bethany Home. Ms. Brand had served as a nurse for many years. She must have been a fantastic one! Her intelligence, humor and giving-spirit were some of her genuine qualities. These must of served her patients and fellow employees well. Our "Bethany Group" that ministers at the nursing home once a month with singing, praying, and conversation had built quite a friendship with Ms. Brand. We began our friendship because she was a member of the First United Methodist Church. That was enough reason, but after we got to know her, it was our treat and blessing to visit her.
Ms. Brand was in such good spirits, even when she was not feeling well. We always left more blessed than she did. Ms. Brand asks each of us to sign her book each visit, especially if we were new. I am not sure the reason. Knowing her, she probably prayed for us by name! We were glad to sign, regardless of the reason. She always wanted to give us something; a piece of candy, a cookie, and one day she gave each of us a can of coke. I put mine in the refrigerator. It had been there untouched for a while. I think the morning I took my first drink of it coincided with the weekend I heard the news about her death. I was out of coffee, and it was perfectly timed for a little morning caffeine. If she didn't have anything to give us, it would really bother her. We assured her that we didn't needed anything, but she was a giver!
She loved to hear us sing! "This little Light of Mine" was one of her favorites. As we sang, Ms. Brand would have a twinkle in her eye as she watched and listened to us. It was a God moment, like very few we are privileged in this life! Her favorite song, "In the Garden", became one of our favorites. It is such a wonderful song that gets right to the crux of our relationship with Jesus. We would ask her to help us with the words, and she would. I believe Ms. Brand is having a special In the Garden Time with Jesus right now!
Her mental clarity floored me! Ms. Brand always had words of wisdom. One of her favorite philosophies that rings so true: YOUR ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN YOUR WORDS.
I hope our kids listened to this advice. I certainly want to heed the advice, because I heard it. Her favorite story, which we heard more than once, was about the names of God. It became known as her Andy story. I can't capture the telling of the story from Ms. Brand, but the premise is as follows. Ms. Brand was explaining to the young kids about the meanings of God's names. When she was finished, one little boy said you forgot one. Ms. Brand asked, "Which one?" He said Andy! She responded that Jehovah had NO names concerning "Andy". The little boy said, "It sure sounds like it to me when you say, 'And He (Andy) walks with me and and He (Andy) talks with me.'" We would laugh hard---sometimes too hard---it was fun every time. Plus, it went right along with her favorite song IN THE GARDEN.
Finally, Ms. Brand loved a good laugh. She had an eye for details and appreciated humorous moments that might pass some of us right by. (I want to get better at this skill.) One event that hit her as hilarious is as follows. Somebody had given Ms. Brand some candy. Since there was quite a bit of it, she placed it on a tray and put it near her door. I think it was located there so anyone who wanted some could have it. Well, there happened to be a privacy curtain near the tray, and one day a hand came around (or under) the curtain and grabbed up a handful of candy. She laughed and laughed! Ms. Brand was 93 years-old at the time. She said, "If I live to be 100, I won't see anything that funny!" Now that hit me as funny! I am thinking, If someone younger---even my age--used the reference of "If I live to be 100" would carry more weight. After all, she only had 7 more years to go. After her death, I recalled my thoughts on this incident. You know, even if you are 93 years-old, 100 is still a milestone! Praise God for each day He gives us! Praise God for the life of Ms. Beth Brand!!
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