Gift of Writing (by Adaline Bjorkman)
Gift of Writing by Adaline Bjorkman |
to ask the question, "Where did God come today and offer a change of direction or instruction?" |
Gift of Writing (by Adaline Bjorkman)
On December 29 Adaline Bjorkman e-mailed me this message:
Welcome to 2002! I just picked up your Christmas e-mail, printed it and will re-read again and again. Thanks for all your good news. Keep at the book, you have much to write. Wally Howard's sister who lived here at Covenant is gone, so I don't get a "catch-up" about them. I'm surely at a lower level of doing, but when I sit here at the computer I feel more like myself! It almost takes a day to take care of my place and me + all those extra doctor's visits...sort of my social life. Today I met a women (late 80's) a resident in sheltered care, who still takes piano lessons. She was sitting in the hall, and in her hand she held a harmonica, which she plays for her enjoyment and probably the amazement of others! I've been asked to interview (her) for their in-house paper on "people who make a difference." I will get her 'on paper' one of these days...have done quite a few, one woman who was 103. She told me, 'If Thomas Merton were here I'd tell him my story!' Later a couple came over to give me an interview. Lord! can life still hold these surprises? 'How can this be?' as Mary said. I wonder the same. Love and best wishes for our 2002 year. Adaline Bj
On January 14 she was "on her way". She would have turned 87 in two days. Her time on earth ran out. Her interviews are over. Her journal entries have ended. There are no more hugs or photo ops, but young Joseph has his picture, and he will remember. When I replied to Adaline's e-mail I simply said, "May you be upheld in the loving arms of our gracious God!" I had no idea what would happen so soon. I hadn't seen her for years. Adaline and I had first met at a Faith @Work Board meeting in Bermuda in 1974. She was under a heavy cloud after losing her husband, Arthur, and some time after that she published a book of her own poetry, While it is Still Dark. Many of you have read it. She had set out on a new road without Arthur. Her new life of singleness became a new life with words. She expressed herself over and over and her words remain. Comforting words for herself and others. Many caught from her a life with their own words, which will go on . . . and on . . . and on.
I went to her memorial service on January 19. An almost alive photo enlargement of her (waist up) stood off to the right of the pulpit. We sang the songs she wanted us to sing. Even the Psalm (40) and the other Scriptures read, and the closing prayer were chosen by Adaline. We heard her short story read, "The Wedding Ring Story". It was like she was standing there in front of us, ministering to us, along with those who also spoke their own words of remembrance, comfort and joy.
Dear Adaline, thanks for picking up your pen, for sitting at your computer, and expressing your heart to us. . . for opening your heart of love to the Savior and to us.
Adaline led a creative writing class at Covenant Village in Northbrook IL. Adaline's book, While It Was Still Dark, conveys her encounter with separation & loss in a succession of sharply limned images. She doesn't discourse about grief, she evokes its many moods.
Char Meredith Hartzell writes from Palatine IL. She is a long-time friend of Faith @Work, serving on the Board of Directors with Adaline from 1974-1981, and has read the magazine since it was called The Evangel, back in the early 50s. Char is a member of the Long Grove Community Church and has watch God move among the congregation in a powerful way! She's still quite involved -- outreach, library, women's ministry ... and in the local Young Life ministry.