I hope 2021 is starting out well for you.

 

My last month is a blur. After being cautious throughout 2020 to avoid Covid due to my dangerous pulmonary issues, my Mom, sister, and I all became ill at Christmas. I was immediately sent to the hospital for IV monoclonal antibodies in hopes of avoiding further lung damage. I am so grateful for this life-saving treatment. Three weeks later I am still slowly recovering.

 

A few days later, I almost lost my sister. She was taken to the ER days after she should have been hospitalized, then isolated in the ICU. Thank God, she is now home regaining her strength.

 

Many people have remained untouched by this evil virus, or have had a mild case, or have tested positive without symptoms. Not all of us are so fortunate. Susceptibility to Covid differs drastically depending upon geography, daily activities, community, health issues, and so many other factors. Covid affects everyone differently. Symptoms and severity vary tremendously. Some feel fine, some report a mild cold, others die. Some will have ongoing effects for months or years. Stats mean nothing if you're on the wrong side of the probability. If someone has not dealt with Covid personally, they may dismiss it. Please, please take Covid seriously. End of Public Service Announcement.

 

My mother died December 31. It's never easy to lose one’s mother. I know everybody thinks their mother is special, but I think my mom was amazing. I keep reaching for the phone to share stories with her.

 

What was her legacy? What priorities can we learn from Phyllis Kline?

 

• Responsibility and integrity. Your word is your bond. You show up. You do the work. People can count on your faithfulness. You are honest in all matters. Every bill is paid in full on time. You live below your means so that you have zero debt and the ability to be generous.

 

• Chocolate. I come by my addiction honestly. Mom loved Hershey’s, Klondike bars, and Lindt milk chocolate. Dad loved ice cream, caramel M&Ms, and Goodtime Linda Chocolate Chip Cookies. Other flavors may exist, but Klines always prefer chocolate.

 

• People. Her community came from church, neighbors, school friends, and anyone else who crossed her path. Mom loved people and had a kind and welcoming word for everyone. She had a servant heart and was always willing to go the extra mile to help out. She spent time and energy to maintain friendships with connections of all ages from all stages of her life.

 

I often say I inherited two great gifts from my mother: the ability to laugh and to cry. I am so thankful for both. They serve me well. Mom felt things deeply and had tremendous empathy for others.

 

Mom also loved my friends. If she met you once, she tried to remember every detail and continued to ask about you. She loved all the stories and pictures of you, your adventures, your children, your grandchildren, and especially your four-legged family members.

 

She loved what I do in Psalm One. Mom wanted to hear about every Bible study, retreat, or event. Some of you were able to attend an event because my mother donated a scholarship for you behind the scenes. She prayed for all of you, but especially the pastors’ wives.

 

• Humor. My mother and her father (my beloved grandfather) saw the humor in everything. They loved to laugh. They taught me humor should never be at another’s expense. There are too many hilarious things in life without resorting to biting cynicism or sarcasm. They believed no one had a better sense of humor than God.

 

Mom was fun. She was an extrovert who enjoyed any social gathering and was invited to far more parties than I ever was. She hosted daily neighborhood porch parties at her condo. Anyone who took a stroll down the main drag was invited to stop by and visit. Her friendly dog Harley visited with the four-legged guests while the two-legged guests sat around and chatted.

 

• Animals. Mom dearly loved dogs (and most furry creatures). Like me, she was unable to walk past a dog without striking up a conversation. I inherited and expanded her love of animals to anything with fur, feathers, fins, flippers, and fangs: close encounters of the wildlife kind with sheep, goats, wild ponies, elk, buffalo, bears, elephants, birds, manatees, mantas, morays, moose, marmots, kangaroos, koalas, wombats, sea turtles, whales, otters, sea life of every description, sharks and lots of other big bitey things. She asked me not to tell her about most of those encounters until I was safely home.

 

Between our illness and Covid restrictions, we have not been able to have a celebration of my mom’s life and legacy. So please help me sing the song she wanted as we say goodbye:

 

    Jesus loves me! This I know,

    For the Bible tells me so;

    Little ones to Him belong;

    They are weak, but He is strong.

 

        Refrain:

        Yes, Jesus loves me!

        Yes, Jesus loves me!

        Yes, Jesus loves me!

        The Bible tells me so.

 

    Jesus loves me! This I know,

    As He loved so long ago,

    Taking children on His knee,

    Saying, “Let them come to Me.”

 

    Jesus loves me still today,

    Walking with me on my way,

    Wanting as a friend to give

    Light and love to all who live.

 

    Jesus loves me! He who died

    Heaven’s gate to open wide;

    He will wash away my sin,

    Let His little child come in.

 

    Jesus loves me! He will stay

    Close beside me all the way;

    Thou hast bled and died for me,

    I will henceforth live for Thee.

(Anna B. Warner)

 

Thank you for listening, praying, and celebrating with me.

 

Much love,

Linda

 

P.S. I am still recovering, so my availability is very limited. Thank you so much for all your prayers, messages, cards, gifts, offers of help, and other encouragement. They mean more than words can express.

 

We hope and pray to resume face-to-face retreats and studies soon. In the meantime, we love being together online. Please join us!

 

Tuesday Bible Study (for men and women): Now, no matter where you live, you can come to the Psalm One gathering for support, encouragement, life-giving tools, and time together seeking the Lord. You don’t have to live in Ohio. This is for men and women, lay and clergy, married and single, any church, anyone who can join us at Tuesday nights at 7:30pm EDT (that’s Wednesday morning for some of you!). We are currently in Ephesians. Anyone is welcome, whether you are there every week or once in a blue moon. Sign up to receive the Zoom link and stay in the loop: https://www.psalmone.org/tuesday-night-bible-study 

 

Pastors’ Wives: We are so enjoying being with authentic friends who understand life in the ministry. The Sisterhood of the Fishbowl is having a wonderful time together Thursday nights at 7:30pm EDT. Such a great group. No risk, no travel, no cost, no slippery roads, from the comfort of your own home, Covid hair and pajamas welcome! We are currently learning and practicing tools to jump-start our spiritual lives and strengthen our walk with Jesus. We are always glad to see you whether pop in once or are there every week. Pastors’ wives are invited to sign up to receive the Zoom link and stay in the loop: https://www.psalmone.org/pastors-wives