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JANUARY 31, 2025  –  Today my mom would have celebrated her 106th  birthday. With a grateful heart and a knowing grin, I look back on Mom’s life -- and a resume'  that goes something like this:

“... Symphony harpist, piano teacher, single mom, court recorder, journalist, artist, professional interior decorator, syndicated columnist, seamstress, novelist,  secretary, jewelry designer, Girl Scout instructor, golfer, church choir director, Harpo Marx performer, hair stylist, health enthusiast, comedienne, charity bazaar coordinator, Welcome Wagon hostess ... and ardent fan of Elvis Presley.”

     The latter wasn’t always so. Like countless other moms in the 1950s, she had lined up all her daughters and issued  us this stern warning:

      “Don’t have anything to do with this rock-n-roll guy -- he’s trouble!" So we managed to live life without Elvis. Amazing.

     Fast-forward twenty years. Imagine my shock when my young daughters and I visited Mom in California,    only to be greeted by a roomful of Elvis memorabilia: festival hats, posters, banners...!

    My preschooler stared at the giant poster.

     "Gwamma, what's a ELLL-VISS?"

     "Oh honey, he's a wonderful man!"

     I was stunned. “Mom!”

          She told of the days she was in Elvis’ orchestra, and the night he came behind stage while she was tuning her harp. He told her how beautifully she played, and thanked her for being in his orchestra. Then he sat at the harp and she showed him how to work the pedals and strings, thanked her again, smiled and left.

It cost Elvis nothing but a moment of his time; yet in that moment, his sincere interest in the passion of Mom’s life changed an irate mother into an lifelong fan.

The power of encouragement.

The beauty of it is, we can have the same effect on those around us --

often just a smile, a touch, a word, a listening ear, 

or a sincere interest in someone's passions or dreams,

can make all the difference.

     This power of encouragement can win a heart, or a new friend. Even change a life.

People will cross our path today who need encouragement. Let’s look for ways to show it to them, and see what God will do.

                                                                                                                Be encouraged: 2 Corinthians 1:3,4