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Nancy Parker Brummett

Nancy Parker Brummett

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Stairway to Heaven

July 26, 2018 by Nancy 16 Comments

Morningstar StaircaseI’ve climbed the beautiful, spiral staircase at the assisted living community where I volunteer many times without thinking of it as the stairway to heaven. But for some reason, today as I climbed from the first floor with its lovely entryway, library and dining room, to the second floor with the activity room where we have The Hope of Glory Bible study, that’s exactly what came to mind.

Maybe my long-term memory was activated by being in the presence of those older than I who cherish this intact part of their brains, and I was reminded of the prom theme we had my junior year in high school. Two by two couples lined up for the coveted prom photo. Girls in long satin dresses boasting wrist corsages leaned in to boys in brown suits sporting their father’s ties. Behind each couple was the backdrop the prom committee painted on butcher paper of a long spiral staircase. Glittery letters at the top read, “Stairway to Heaven.”

Of course, our idea of heaven in the Sixties was a really hot date and getting to stay out later than usual to go to the after parties, or the less sanctioned parties held on the banks of a Tennessee lake. Gratefully, it’s not this temporal, somewhat carnal, concept of heaven that I show up to talk about to the assisted living residents. Rather it’s the gospel truth that we won’t have to climb the 21 steps I counted today to get to heaven, or even take the optional elevator! It’s the message that there’s only one step needed, belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Most of the residents at this facility, lovely as it is, are there because they need help of some kind—either due to physical impairment or loss of mental acuity. Although they don’t dwell on this fact, the blessed among them realize that their next destination is heaven. Together we explore how this late season of life in which they find themselves is still life, and that God has a purpose for them as long as they have breath. Then they will enjoy eternal life with Him!

It could be because I’ve been to two memorial services within a week that I’m reflecting on heaven now. Both were for women who lived long, full lives, leaving behind memories of stories told, quilts made, meals served, grandchildren cherished, and husbands adored. Hearing about their lives, and their strong Christian faith shared through generations, makes every remaining minute of my life seem more valuable to me somehow—more primed with possibility. They ran their races well, leaving me with a longing to make any time I have left count for something—especially for those things that are small in the eyes of the world, but large in the eyes of heaven.

In my book, Take My Hand Again, I talk about how hard it was to say goodbye to the assisted living residents I came to love through our time in Bible study, and today I was reminded that I’m still vulnerable to that kind of heartache. And I’m not alone. I just finished the engaging book A Dog Walks into a Nursing Home by Sue Halpern, who also grew fond of the residents she took her dog, Pransky, to visit each week. The author recalls standing at a distance at the graveside service of a friend and resident named Fran because she had the lovable labradoodle with her. She stood amazed as she saw all the people who gathered to honor the woman she and Pransky had only come to know and love in her last years. They had no idea how many lives Fran’s had touched, they only knew she had touched theirs.

Love hurts, but it’s always worth it. And there’s this stairway to heaven, where the loss and pain of aging is no more! There we will celebrate together all the love we’ve received, and all the love we’ve given away.

The Hope of Glory, A Devotional Guide for Older Adults, and Take My Hand Again, A Faith-based Guide for Helping Older Parents, are both available on Amazon.com.

Filed Under: Take My Hand Again Tagged With: assisted living, Bible Study, Eternity, heaven, stairway, Sue Halpern, Take My Hand Again, The Hope of Glory

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Alice scott-ferguson says

    July 27, 2018 at 9:08 am

    Tears tingle my eyes
    my heart sings
    in a body that grows older
    That houses a mind that knows no horizons…
    A most fitting reminder of what matters on my seventy-ninth birthday!

    Reply
    • Nancy says

      July 27, 2018 at 11:57 am

      And obviously YOU matter to ME! Love you.

      Reply
  2. Jimmie says

    July 27, 2018 at 10:22 am

    so beautifully written! I think of my Aunt Frances…the time will come!
    Jimmie

    Reply
    • Nancy says

      July 27, 2018 at 11:56 am

      Or else she’ll outlive us both, Jimmie!! We’ll all be together in heaven regardless.

      Reply
  3. Jim B (your loving huzzband) says

    July 27, 2018 at 10:46 am

    You are such a blessing to those folks you visit personally and to all the elderly living out their years in assisted living situations who have been ministered to through your Hope of Glory devotional. God Bless You

    Reply
    • Nancy says

      July 27, 2018 at 11:56 am

      Thanks for your support, dear, and for going with me on the 4th of July!!

      Reply
  4. Elizabeth Van Liere says

    July 27, 2018 at 11:17 am

    Lovely, Nancy. Always enjoy reading what you have written.

    Reply
    • Nancy says

      July 27, 2018 at 11:55 am

      Thank you, Betty. Ditto!

      Reply
  5. Peggy Lovelace Ellis says

    July 27, 2018 at 1:17 pm

    There is no ‘stairway to heaven’ in the one-level assisted living facility in my retirement community, but I see the hope of heaven’s glory in the faces of my friends and acquaintances as they near the end of life on this planet. Joy unbounded describes them well.

    Reply
    • Nancy says

      July 31, 2018 at 10:11 am

      I love that term “joy unbounded,” Peggy. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
  6. Beth Lueders says

    July 28, 2018 at 1:54 pm

    Thank you, Nancy. Touching and true. I like your words about one step to heaven instead of all the others we may climb here on earth. And, I look forward to reading about Fran. I started the book yesterday and know her experiences will remind me of your invaluable serving in your care facility with that beautiful staircase.

    Reply
    • Nancy says

      July 31, 2018 at 10:12 am

      Thanks, Beth! Enjoy the book.

      Reply
  7. Jan Keller says

    July 30, 2018 at 9:53 pm

    Love this Nancy! <3

    Reply
    • Nancy says

      July 31, 2018 at 10:12 am

      I love your support, as always! 🙂

      Reply
  8. Sue says

    August 3, 2018 at 12:50 pm

    Thank you, Nancy, for your words of wisdom. A woman who worked with the elderly once told me, “Anyone who is bored or lonely should go and visit people in nursing homes.” Good advice.

    Reply
    • Nancy says

      January 24, 2019 at 4:25 pm

      That is excellent advice, Sue. You’ll leave feeling like you made a difference, and grateful for the age you are!

      Reply

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