Joanne was a wife, mother...
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Object:
Joanne was a wife, mother, and foster mother. During her struggle with cancer she experienced the deep love, loyalty, and caring of her family and friends. She was touched, hugged, and held as she heard loving words and felt their reality. Joanne had many visitors and received hundreds of cards and letters from well-wishers.
Jim was an attorney living in Connecticut when he died of AIDS. After he shared the news with his parents, they would not even speak to him. They offered to buy him a house in Florida so he would be hundreds of miles from them and all their friends.
Johnny's parents had a different reaction when they learned he was dying of AIDS. They insisted that he come home so he could live his final days in his own bedroom. They tenderly cared for him, sharing deep compassion and love. Just before Johnny died, his folks invited family and friends to his 25th birthday party. Nobody came.
Cancer is a socially acceptable disease, but AIDS and leprosy are not. When the church befriends and cares for the suffering who are rejected and despised by society, then and only then, is the church truly the church. May we be so bold and so loving!
Jim was an attorney living in Connecticut when he died of AIDS. After he shared the news with his parents, they would not even speak to him. They offered to buy him a house in Florida so he would be hundreds of miles from them and all their friends.
Johnny's parents had a different reaction when they learned he was dying of AIDS. They insisted that he come home so he could live his final days in his own bedroom. They tenderly cared for him, sharing deep compassion and love. Just before Johnny died, his folks invited family and friends to his 25th birthday party. Nobody came.
Cancer is a socially acceptable disease, but AIDS and leprosy are not. When the church befriends and cares for the suffering who are rejected and despised by society, then and only then, is the church truly the church. May we be so bold and so loving!
