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GEORGE

Many times when people come into our lives, even "before they arrive"...God prepares us.

While working in the nursing home, we were expecting a new admission. The facility was responsible for properly marking all personal items and clothing with a residents name. On this particualar day, I assumed that responsibility. The new admits name was "George". As I sat down and began marking "Georges'" first and last name on his clothing, I suddenly and quite unexpectedly found myself praying for him. I prayed that God would touch his life, give him peace...but most of all....I claimed his soul for the kingdom of heaven.

I began to feel "attached" to this man as I continued to pray for him, even sight unseen.

Prior to George arriving, I learned that his immediate family had little tolerance for him. They delivered his belongings in oversized green trashbags and brown paper sacks. They felt as tho he were a outcast and made it known that once he was transferred to our facility, he would pretty much be on his own. It was obvious that his family was unsupportive of him in any way shape or form.

George was a tall, thin man with no teeth who practically swam in his oversized clothes. He would take his right hand and grasp at the waist of the pants just to hold them up. (Even tho his belt was on the last notch.) And when he smiled, his toothless grin would reach from one side of his face to the other.

George and I gradually developed a very close friendship. George, ....as all people do....simply wanted someone to talk to, and to acknowledge him...and to be treated like everyone else.

Everyday, throughout the day, George would come and visit me in my office. I would ask him about his past, his likes, dislikes and generally all questions that people simply get asked! He was perceived by others to be "a homeless, indigent with little intellengence". When if fact...He wasnt any of those things at all.

I will never forget the first time I asked George if he would like a cup of coffee. His face stared at me in almost disbelief. He had been treated so badly by others that he was not used to someone that simply "wanted" to do something for him. Once I detected how much he had been neglected, I began to help him more and more. It made me angry that people had mistreated him so badly because he had been homeless. The absence of the respect he deserved was so obvious!

I eventually learned so much about George. Like his secret love Victoria, the lady he loved...And his brilliant mind that no one seemed to know about...but me. One day while typing, I got stuck on the spelling of a word....and asked George, who just happened to be sitting there with me. Without hesitation he gave me the appropriate spelling. George and I would have conversations about investments and we would talk about business matters and different company formations.

One Christmas, George gave me a handmade Christmas card, which I still have to this day. He drew a picture of a nativity scene with a pen. I will treasure it forever.

George passed away about 5 months ago. He fell and broke his hip and never recovered.

I will never forget George. One day, I will see his face again. I pray that he knows just how much his life meant to me.

Simply,

...........Kris