Haircuts and Hamburgers

Matthew 6:34 (MSG): Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up.

This was a Scripture verse given to me this morning and I wrote it in my journal. It was pertinent to what I've been working through in my efforts to stop trying to figure everything out and let go and let God.  And just as soon as I made this surrender, He showered me with a truly memory-creating day with John, one that I will probably often recall even after he is gone from me.  You see we have a new thing that is now becoming a tradition. I call it "Haircuts and Hamburgers Day."

Like most gentlemen of John's generation, they find a local barber and keep him forever and ever. John has happily gone to the local barber here in Eaton ever since moving here to marry me, thirteen years ago this month. But alas, the man who was not only his barber but his good pal, retired last fall and it was a really big deal to John. Change comes much harder to those with Dementia. Routine is greatly important. Where would he go now for haircuts and beard trims that suit him? Where might he find someone who understands his limited words and lack of communication? 

The answer came to me one day when I myself needed a haircut. I recalled the kind, neatly-trimmed guy who  cuts hair in the same salon where I go. I told John we were going together for a "haircut date." We sat in the big chairs, side by side, and Jimmy did a wonderful job snipping and cutting just the way John likes it. He was delighted! So, I told him after haircuts we would be getting hamburgers together at Freddy's. The first time we did this was three months ago. Today was our third Haircuts and Hamburgers date and today was the best of all! We even shared a hot fudge sundae and John sang "Ba-ba-ba Ba-Barbara Ann" with the juke box music. The afternoon was filled with laughter and we held hands as we walked out to the car. 

It may sound simple and silly to you - but none of these things has happened for a long, long time. It was such a throw-back to an earlier time, years ago, when we had such joyful, romantic moments together. For this one afternoon Dementia did not get to steal our joy! And as I tucked John into bed tonight, wrapping covers around him and praying over him, I whispered, "Thank You, Father for this very special day. I am not going to worry about whatever may or may not happen tomorrow. You will help me with whatever hard things may come up." 

He will. And He will also help me recall the memories of haircuts and hamburgers.