January 15, 2026
I keep thinking that what I’m about to write, I’ve already written. Perhaps it’s just that feeling of dé·jà vu. Because ironically, I can’t find record of what I’m about to say. Not exactly, anyway.
Like I do at least twice a month, I logged about 75 miles on my forte, travelling to-and-fro to visit our members who were born before the Second World War began. (Well, all but one anyway). It’d been more than two weeks since I caught up with all of them, and my visits were definitely due.
After a super-brief visit to my office, I hit the road early this morning to make sure I could visit everyone on my list. I quickly debated—which direction first? My internal discussion finished, I determined I’d begin by heading south. Vroom-vroom, clutch pressed, car into first gear, it was time to hit the road.
The first on my list was LaDonna, our oldest member of the church. LaDonna reminds me of my Auntie Carol: the sound of her voice, her accent, mannerisms, and even the shape and look of her face. But what I love about LaDonna the most is her positive, cheerful attitude about life. She never complains about anything; and more to that, LaDonna is so grateful for every aspect of life. She’s a living-lesson in gratitude many could learn from. 45 minutes later, it was again time to hit the road. I had a schedule to keep, promising Elaine I’d get to her before the clock hit 4.
Over and the river and through the woods, to Windom I would go. It was time to see the youngest person on my list. While Ilene was born at the close of WW2 (and technically a Boomer), my visit with her was another lesson in gratitude. An hour later and a schedule to keep, I made a quick stop for lunch and hit the road again. It was time to drive east then north.
Through a slight drizzle of freezing rain, I arrived 25 minutes later to see the gents. First stop was LeRoy, just a few years younger than LaDonna. A veteran of Korea (post), his gentle heart and infectious smile is always a delight to see. LeRoy had to tell me about the new pastor in town, who’s preaching is just like mine. Then, of course, he had to hear about all the happenings in church and the hubbub around town. Like his spiritual sisters to the south, LeRoy is grateful for every good gift the Lord God has given. He too is a lesson in gratefulness from whom we can all learn.
Leaving LeRoy’s room, I ran into gent #2 — good old Harlan who’s always gentle and kind, with an almost perpetual smile on his face. He was just pulling up a chair to watch his favorite gameshow, one ironically that began six years before I was born. (Can you guess which one that might be?) H and I talked for a few minutes, but I still had others to visit. But first, an unscheduled pitstop.
LeRoy mentioned the new pastor in town, LCMC’s newest pastor to SW Minnesota. Being less than a mile away, I figured I’d stop in and welcome him to town. What I thought would be a just a quick stop turned to an hour and half, and I still had another stop to make. Time to call Elaine.
“Elaine? Hi, this is Pastor J. Just wanted ya to know I haven’t forgotten about ya. I’m headed your way; see ya in just a bit.” Click. Click. Vroom-Vroom. Time to head back to town. I have a promise to keep.
Elaine is such a hoot; we can talk for hours before realizing a lot of time has passed. We chattered about this-and-that, and even all the cray-cray happening up north, both of us wondering what it all means and where it’s all going. Like all those with her wisdom, she understands it’s all in God’s hands. Before I knew it, 80 minutes had passed; it was time to offer communion and head on home for the day.
As I backed out of Elaine’s driveway, I felt elated for the day of visits I’d had – a day of thanksgiving with four members of the Silent Generation. All are wise for their years, and none are afraid. All realize that what’s happening now has happened before, and humanity will go on. What’s required of us is gratitude, prayer, and faith.
I thank the Lord for our elders in the Silent Generation. They were born in times that were scarier than now, all surviving decades of travail. In many of them I see gratitude missing in those who came later. From them we can learn a lesson: gratitude and thanksgiving are the secret to long life and a life lived well.