We made an “emergency” trip out of town last weekend. I found out at 9:00 Thursday night that my parents were receiving an award at church on Sunday morning. This rarely-given award, the Distinguished Service Award, honors the recipient for a lifetime of service in the church. No one deserves it more than my parents. In fact, the sermon that morning was on servanthood and was built around the example provided by my parents.
This award was a surprise to them. That was fun! My sister-in-law and I had to do some fancy talking on Saturday to convince Mom not to leave church early the next morning. We managed to do it without lying, but it was close! Mom had been sick (still was) and wasn’t planning on pushing her limits. She made it just fine, though, through the presentation.
Mom and Dad never expected to receive this award. They are very humble people; it just isn’t in them to expect or wish for acknowledgement. The shock on dad’s face when he realized who was receiving the award was priceless. They are the happiest people I have ever met. And the “givingest.” I am so happy for them, so happy that others have finally acknowledged the work they have done throughout a lifetime of service to God. They did everything for Him.
As the pastor stated, “When you see one, you see the other.” They are a package deal. They worked together in the business they owned; they pretty do much do everything together. Dad is a Gideon and hands out Bibles at schools. Mom is in the Gideon’s Auxiliary. Both are a beloved, permanent fixture in the university’s pinning ceremony, presenting Bibles to the nursing school graduates. Dad bowls several times a week; mom goes with him, socializing and encouraging others. This is the honest-to-goodness truth: They have only had one disagreement in their 55 years of marriage, and that was a simple declaration of opposing opinion made by each party. My grandfather was something of a philanderer, and my dad vowed to my mother that he would never allow that to happen to them. He is completely dedicated to his marriage. They both are.
I am beginning to realize just how extraordinary my experiences were as a child because of my parents. No one could ask to be connected to two better people. My brother and I are very, very blessed. Congratulations, Mom and Dad. No one deserves this award more than you two.
How wonderful for you and your Mom and Dad. So often those who are most deserving are overlooked. I’m glad that your parents were given a well earned, lifetime achievement award and that you and your brother were able to share it with them. These are memories to keep.