There once was a man searching for his start in life. He had met a young woman and was invited to her house for dinner. There he met her sister and decided to take her out instead. This sister worked at J.C. Penney's. She was a good sister, taking care of her younger siblings. She fell in love with the young man.

Life was good for the young couple. Then war broke out. Like all young men during this time in history, he joined the military. In particular, the Air Force. He was a turret-gunner on a B-23. He had many experiences he would later tell his children.

Speaking of children, the first of four soon arrived. She was conceived while the young man was on leave. The young bride nurtured and loved the beautiful baby girl and soon the days of war were over. The second child, a healthy bouncing boy, arrived three years later.

Life was good for the family. He worked hard; she worked hard; both taking care of the small family. A new daughter was born two years after the son. The kids grew up in the small East-Texas town of Carthage. They had many experiences they would later tell around the table as the family gathered together for special occasions. Seven years passed.

There was heartbreak for the couple however. The wife would sometimes not be hereself and would end up in the hospital. One time they even took her down to the big city of Houston where her mother lived. The children soon followed; then the husband.

Life became good again. A fourth child, another daughter who should have been a son, but that is another story, arrived. They decided to buy a house; three bedrooms, one bath. This was the decade of the fifties and life was good for the little family. He worked hard; she worked hard, both taking care of their family.

God blessed this little family. They went to church. Both parents taught Sunday School. The kids grew physically and spiritually. Life was good.

Until one day, the man did not feel so well. He went to the doctor who told him he had a disease. In the decade of the sixties, as well as today, this disease destroyed families. Cancer is such a burden on everyone, not just the person who is being eaten up by it. The eldest daughter went to college, met a young man, fell in love, soon married and had a family of her own. The son, intelligent and strong, was a high school hunk, however, he would soon be the man of the house. The middle daughter, followed her elder siblings' footsteps, all the while helping to take care of her younger sister. The youngest daughter could not always visit her father in the hospital. It was very hard on her and she did not understand when she was told, yes now you can visit, until the next day the father passed away from his earthly life -- gone home to Jesus.

Life was hard, but it became bearable again. The wife missed her husband, but continued to take care of their children and the home that they bought together. Through three decades, she nurtured her family; making sure they grew physically as well as spiritually. The children somtimes gave her grief, but all the while she loved them, took care of them, and watched them grow.

The eldest daughter has two children of her own and two grandchildren. After the end of his first marriage, the son married a girl from his high school, has received three college degrees, and still can't decide what he wants to do "when he grow up." The third child has become a successful career woman working in a prestigious law firm. The youngest, always showing that even though her siblings are several years older, she still belongs with the group. She has a wonderful second marriage, works at a law office and her church, and continues to grow spiritually; ever reaching for a closer walk with her Lord.

Time has stopped for the woman now. She too has gone to be with her Jesus. The children have gotten together and sold the house that so lovingly gave them the love and support they needed to continue on and to grow physically, but better yet, spiritually. "For where your treasure lies, there will your heart also lie." Make your home with Jesus.

Connie Zeman (My sittle lister! -- not a typo)