I’ve written a few blogs on unsung heroes, remarkable people in our life, and I have one to add, our long-time Navigator friend and mentor to June, Phyllis Stanley. Phyllis and her husband, Paul, West Point class of 1963, are in their late 70s. They are former missionaries to Germany, Paul was an international vice president of The Navigators and even served as interim president for Greater Europe Mission just a few years ago. As of about January 2018, if not before, Paul began to develop dementia, we think as a result of concussions from playing football while at West Point. The dementia has become very serious, and he has gone down rapidly just in the past few months.

All that is background to this week. Phyllis called June to thank her for some food June had sent, leaving a long message, saying something like, “The arm I broke a few weeks ago is much better. Unfortunately, I’ve fallen and broken the other arm, and I have to have surgery in a couple of days. We’ve had a lot of visitors, people wanting to see Paul one last time: I’ve changed the sheets on the guest bed four times.”

So June went to their house the day before the surgery expecting to find Phyllis resting and maybe doing some last-minute preparations. The door was answered by a lady June didn’t know who explained that Phyllis really couldn’t see her right now–she was leading a Bible study!

Phyllis did come out to talk with June who told Phyllis that she expected her to be down. Phyllis responded, “No, I’m not down. My daughter might have thought I was down but that was due to medication. I’m just fine. The Bible study was scheduled. I’m leading it!”

I think I would have canceled Bible study if I was exhausted from caring for a spouse with dementia and had just broken my arm, especially if I were nearly 80 years old!

[The righteous] will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, “The LORD is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.” (Psalm 92:12-15, NIV)

Since my youth, God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come. (Psalm 71.17, 18, NIV)