Lutheran Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing - Yearbook (Chicago, IL)

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Lift Up 'Your Eyes 1, Mrs. had devoted her life to the boarding of little children and to mothering them, for she loves children dearly, but upon losing her hearing she had to give this up, much to her sorrow. She had saved enough money so that she could provide herself with food and this meagre onefroom basement flat, and thus is not dependent upon charity. The only ones who come to see her besides myself are an old lady acquaintance and the grocery man. Where are all the children she once mothered and cared for? Gone, and how soon they have forgotten her! How she would appreciate seeing some one of them! My visits with her are different from other visits, in that I converse with her by writing that which I have to say to her and she then answers. just recently she referred to my first visit to her on that dark rainy day- and with tears trickling down her wrinkled yet kind face she said: It made me so glad. There are many such old ladies who do not ask for temporal help- but would so appreciate a smile, a word of cheer and a little visit. Are there any in your community? Can you spare a few moments to bring a Bit of sunshine? Wlio Is Responsible? One very, very cold clay, I received word that M1's. A. in -- street needed help, so I set out to investigate. I knocked at the front door, there was no responseg I knocked at the back door-and there was no response. I looked around and it appeared to me that I must be mistaken as to the place, as it had all the appearances of being empty. Thinking that the neighbor might be able to give me some enlightenment I went over there-but the only answer I got was I really couldn't tell you. I never associate with my neighbors. just as I was about to leave, three children ranging from seven to twelve years of age made their appearance. They were Mrs. Afs children. They took the key out of a crevice and opened the door. I asked if I might come in and they said 'kYes. Once inside I saw a much neglected homeg stockings, shoes, and papers were strewn on the floor. Cn the kitchen table were the remnants of the previous meal, a few slices of bread partly eaten, scattered over it, a jar of jelly, a pound of butter Page Ten

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Lift Up 'Your Eyes as followers of the Lord will be chiefly a ministry of mercy. In the Church of Christ, mercy must have its home. The prophetic word and example of the Savior demand it. His own sacrifice, as our High'Priest, imparts the needed strength. The deaconess motto written by Wilhelm Loehe, one of the early founders of the deaconess institution, gives us a better understanding of that attractive calling. Wl1at is my purpose to do? I will serve. Whom will I serve? The Lord fesus among His poor and sick and needy. Wliat is my reward? I serve neither for thanks nor rewardg my reward is that I may thus serve. And If I perish? 'If I perish, I perish,' said Esther, who knew not Him for whom I am willing to perish but who will not let me perish. If I grow old in the service? 'Then my heart shall still flourish like the palm tree and the Lord will crown me with mercy and grace. I go my way in peace and fear naught. A Little Bit of Sunshine One of my visits took me to the home of a very old lady, one of the hundreds who like her live alone. Hers was not a cheery, bright room, which would be so welcome to one who has devoted her life in serving others and whose autumn years should be recompensed by happy, peaceful hours. Hers was the ref verse. I found myself going down the stairs into one of those dark basement onerroom flats. I knocked at the door and waited-there was no response, so I gently pushed open the door and then I met this lonely old lady who had been sick for a week. Upon speaking to her I dis' covered that she was deaf-she could not hear a single sound. The room was orderly and clean, but dark, and being a dark rainy day-the room was exceptionally dark. Page Nine

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Lift Up 'Your Eyes with a hutcherfknife stuck into it, and an empty milk bottle. The bed- room was in no better condition as the bed clothes were strewn on the floor. There was only one thing to do and that was to try to clean up this messy place and get a fire started in the stove-as it was indeed a bitter cold day. I asked the girl to sweep the floor while the boy took out the ashes, and brought in some wood. Wliile they were doing this I fixed up the bedroom somewhat and then built a ire. Wliile I cleaned up the table, reset it with a plate and a cup for each, and got the scanty noon day meal readygwhich consisted of bread, butter, jelly, warm milk and some fruit which I had brought with me, the children washed their hands, and wiped them on the gi1'l's dresses, as there were no towels. They then scampered into the bedroom to comb their hair- their conversation was as follows: Wl1zrt is this lady come for? She sure is pertieler. My we ain't had the floor swept for months, sis-have we? An' just think she heated the milk-she's from the hospital. They always wear them kind of dresses there, and they always drink warm milk. -They did not agree on this, however-but came out to eat their noon day meal. I asked if they ever said a prayer before meals and the oldest replied, No, hut if you will tell us one we'll remember an' always say it - Yes we will -chimed in the other two. So we said a prayer before we ate our frugal meal. According to the children, Mrs. A the mother-went Nrnost every day to some party and was very seldom home for meals. The children would get their own meals and many days they had to udrink milk with ice on it. Before they went to school the smallest girl came over to me, looked up into my face and said, Did jesus send you over? I guess He knows how cold we are. There are many such homes-especially in the large cities and the question comes' to us with striking force-whose is-the responsibility? Is it not the responsibility of the church to protect the ehildrenfto save them from going down the ladder? Is it not also our responsibility to teach the mother and father their responsibility? Is it not your ref sponsihility and mine to help the city mission worker in her work? Page Eleven