This is a picture of my beautiful wife and her just as beautiful Aunt Annie. I finally had the chance to meet her in person this past week at the nursing home she is currently residing at. There are so many things that could be written about this experience. It is hard to know where to begin. Aunt Annie is 97 years old (she was born in 1916 in or around Hampton, SC.) Her maiden name is Cohen and her entire family line is from the South Carolina area. Her ancestors worked on the plantation owned by John Lawton. You can read more about her family and how how families may have intersected many years ago here.
Several years ago Aunt Annie had a stroke which left her unable to walk and talk. However, she is just as feisty as ever from what the family and doctors tell me. She dedicated her life to serving God and up until the time she had her stroke she always helped around the church, cleaning it, praying and singing. Even with her inability to talk there was something radiant about her lying in her bed. Aunt Annie is a beautiful woman and I was honored to get the chance to meet her in person.
It was a real blessing for Sharlay (who hadn't seen her in a long time) to be able to introduce me as her husband. Aunt Annie was very excited that her little Mattie married a man of God. You don't get to be 97 years old without seeing a lot of stuff in life and despite her inability to walk or talk clearly still loves God. We were there with Sharlay's mom as well and when Yvonne started to sing a few notes from a hymn that Annie liked she started to get very excited and you could just tell she loved to hear that sweet sound. Then Sharlay soon joined in and I had the chance to witness three generations of Godly women singing praise to the Lord (even if Annie was doing so inside her own head) it was just a special moment that I will never soon forget. There were three Proverbs 31 women in the same room loving on each other it was an amazing sight to behold.
Most amazing to me was that despite her forced silence Aunt Annie still commanded the respect, love and admiration of the staff at the nursing home. Everyone just loves old Aunt Annie and none of them can hardly say her name without letting out a big smile when they talk about her. That is some Holy Ghost power let me tell you. To have a positive impact on someone's life when you are unable to talk really speaks to the heart, soul and fruit of the spirit that a person has in their life.
The best part is that Aunt Annie continues to run her race and continues to fight the good fight despite her age. What a powerful example for the rest of us when we so easily want to quit because "so and so" was rude to me or the Pastor didn't properly say hello to me. She is truly a warrior for the Kingdom and a treasure in an earthen vessel.
A tip of the cap to you Aunt Annie, here is to another 97 years!
P.S. For those who read this and are so inclined please send up a prayer for her and also for Sharlay's cousin Tyrone is is fighting a very difficult battle with cancer (which is why we were in Liberty) that the Dr's say he is losing. We are believing for a miraculous healing for Tyrone (who by the way served at the same church Sharlay and I were engaged in) and peace in his house.
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