A Memory ~ Psalm 136 ...

A memory … a moment … just a simple thought … of someone you loved. Does it produce a smile? And, what is the first memory that comes to mind?

I first met Ella in the mid 1980’s, when she was already eighty-two years old. Our friendship would continue for the next twenty plus years. Yes, she lived to over ninety-six years old! And the beauty, it was not until those last few weeks that her mind and body finally gave up.

I enjoyed many a time around her dinning room table, chatting about life in Illinois and Oregon. About her children and grandchildren. The sadness that she reflected having lived beyond both of her children. The pleasure that she had cooking for a medical doctor near Chicago. Or singing with the ‘Senior Voices’. I never heard her sing, but imagine that it must have been quite the resounding voice.

~ Ella, as a four-year old in 1910 ~

It is now more than twenty years since Ella breathed her last on the 16^th of February, 2004. Nonetheless … the memory of reading her favorite scripture, as she sat grinning ear to ear, is as fresh as it was the many times that I had the pleasure to recite it to her.

Ella Kraisinger Smetana Krbec … this is for you!

 

 

 

Psalm 136

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his loving kindness endures forever.

Give thanks to the God of gods; for his loving kindness endures forever.

Give thanks to the Lord of lords; for his loving kindness endures forever:

To him who alone does great wonders; for his loving kindness endures forever:

To him who by understanding made the heavens; for his loving kindness endures forever:

To him who spread out the earth above the waters; for his loving kindness endures forever:

To him who made the great lights; for his loving kindness endures forever:

The sun to rule by day; for his loving kindness endures forever;

The moon and stars to rule by night; for his loving kindness endures forever:

To him who struck down the Egyptian firstborn; for his loving kindness endures forever;

And brought out Israel from among them; for his loving kindness endures forever;

With a strong hand, and with an outstretched arm; for his loving kindness endures forever:

To him who divided the Sea at the End apart; for his loving kindness endures forever;

And made Israel to pass through its midst; for his loving kindness endures forever;

But overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Sea at the End; for his loving kindness endures forever:

To him who led his people through the wilderness; for his loving kindness endures forever:

To him who struck great kings; for his loving kindness endures forever;

And killed mighty kings; for his loving kindness endures forever:

Sihon king of the Amorites; for his loving kindness endures forever;

Og king of Bashan; for his loving kindness endures forever;

And gave their land as an inheritance; for his loving kindness endures forever;

Even a heritage to Israel his servant; for his loving kindness endures forever:

Who remembered us in our low estate; for his loving kindness endures forever;

And has delivered us from our adversaries; for his loving kindness endures forever:

Who gives food to every creature; for his loving kindness endures forever.

Oh give thanks to the God of heaven; for his loving kindness endures forever. ~ New Heart English Bible ~

Ella would have enjoyed this version ...