Rehoming furniture, a “good” problem

With the counter height table removed from the house, Mama and I ended up with seven chairs that were made for that table height. I moved five away from the bar along with the four we had at the table in the kitchen eating area. All the chairs we had been using were in good or fair condition, but Mama had no interest in keeping the four we had been using at the granite-topped table now sitting in the sunroom. We were loathe to throw them away but had no good options for finding them a good home. So, I suggested taking them to a Goodwill drop box I knew of. However, when we got to the box a sign on the box specifically stated, “No Furniture”. Another placard read, “No items outside the box.” I did not want to be “that person” who causes the volunteers the hassle of dealing with rain-soaked furniture items, so we elected to not set the chairs there. Mama had another idea.

On our way back into town, Mama called Erin and asked if we could set the chairs at the curb in front of her house. Erin quickly agreed so we headed her direction. As we were setting out the chairs, a van slowly rounded the corner and stopped. A Spanish speaking older gentleman approached me and asked if he could take the chairs? We conversed for a minute, and he assured me he and his wife wanted the chairs, but he had to go to his house and get his truck to collect the chairs. The van they were in was full of passengers. To accommodate him, we placed all four chairs inside the fence at Erin and Sam’s house to safeguard them until the family could return with the truck. As we were making the final arrangements and getting assurances that he would be coming back quickly, the wife asked if she could also cut some paddles from the large Napal cactus at the corner of the yard. That suited Erin and Sam just fine. So, our well used chairs found a new home. Mama and I were very pleased.

Grandma has been interesting to deal with lately. She has a wonderful, compassionate desire to witness. She gathers tracts, devotional booklets and whatever else she can lay hands on and has Mama drop her off at Walmart to hand out the materials. The problem is that she has no awareness of the times that she blocks isles as she buttonholes someone to witness to. She has no awareness of a person desperate to find a way to make a hurried exit from her. She has caused enough issues that she was confronted by a worker the other day and told she was not allowed to hand out materials within the store. I am not sure if that is correct, but that is what she was told. She has such a passionate desire to witness that she is almost always irritated to have to leave when Mama returns from her errands to collect Grandma and take her home. We have no idea what she shares with the persons she does talk to and we are reasonably certain that she does not remember either.

Yesterday, Mama did not really want to go out, but found it necessary to do so. Grandma, who insisted on going along, was dropped off at Walmart in Decatur and Mama headed off for her required stops. About forty-five minutes later, when Mama went to get Grandma and head home, Grandma resisted strongly, insisting that Mama leave her there. When Mama urged her to come along, Grandma told Mama she would find her own ride home. That made a bit of a scene until Grandma finally relented. Mama was upset. Grandma was upset. It was a difficult ride home as Mama was chastised for not allowing Grandma more time. Grandma laid a pretty heavy guilt trip on Mama and the effects of that lasted quite a time for Mama even though Grandma forgot about it an hour later. An admirable desire. A poorly executed delivery. We will trust God for the results. He promised His Word would not return to Him void. We are just not sure how to give Grandma enough time so that she feels somewhat satisfied with her effort without giving her so much time that she causes a problem in the location where she shares her witness. 

Last night at dinner, Grandma suddenly blurted out, I’m scared. I’m really, really scared!” We asked, “Scared of what?” Her response, “I have no idea.” That is what Mama deals with every day. At times only a few hours pass between Mama having to repeat to Grandma what they discussed previously. When Grandma tries to tell Mama that the discussion in question never took place, it is frustrating. Sometimes Grandma will relent and ask, “Why don’t I remember that?” As difficult as Grandma can be to deal with at times, she has a good heart and for now, Grandpa is close by to shut her down when she starts to get out of control. I assume it has to be difficult for her, but I know it is very difficult for Mama. Please pray for them both.

Mama has her work cut out for her.