Free My Favorite Senior Moments by Karen O'Connor

better change the batteries in her clock on the mantle so they wouldn’t lose track of the time. She excused herself and fumbled her way into the kitchen for fresh batteries.
    Ben came up behind her and put a hand on her shoulder. “Grandma, I hate to be the one to break the news, but when there’s a power failure battery-operated machines aren’t affected. Putting new batteries in the cordless clock won’t make a difference.”
    Marylynn was certain her face had turned red, and she was gladBen couldn’t see it in the dark. “What was I thinking?” she said. “Ben, you are so smart. You even know that when the power goes off batteries keep working. What will you teach me next?”
    The two had a good laugh and then pulled out some candles so they could finish their card game.
    Today’s Thoughts
    Trust in the L ORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
    P ROVERBS 3:5
    Sure enough, when I lean on my human mind instead of trusting you with all my heart, I fail. Help me, Lord, to be quick to turn from my limited knowledge and trust your infinite wisdom.

44
    Bowled Over
    Luke pored through the contents of the attic in his grandfather’s house. Now that the elderly man had passed on to heaven, Luke knew it would be all right for him to enjoy some of the things his grandfather had left behind. His granddad had given him permission in a letter Luke received on his previous birthday. “Take what you like and sell or give away the rest… ”
    On this particular day, Luke was ready to sort through the remaining items to see which ones he wanted to take home. An old shirt caught his attention. It would be more of a keepsake than something to wear. The cuffs were frayed at the edges, but when Luke held it up he detected a hint of his grandpa’s fragrance—sweet and warm. He set aside the shirt and dug a little deeper. There was an old birthday card from Grandma to Grandpa on his seventy-fifth birthday and a book of poems. Nice!
    At the bottom of a trunk in the corner was an old leather bag. He picked it up. Man, it was heavy. Attached to the outside was a tiny photo of Grandpa’s face. I wonder what this is all about , Luke thought. He unzipped the case. Inside was a gold-flecked bowling ball. What a surprise! Luke laughed out loud. “Wow, Grandpa! I forgot about all those years you bowled on the church league. Cool!”
    Luke picked up the ball and fit his thumb and fingers into the holes. He grasped it with both hands. A good, hefty ball that still had some life. What would the guys at work think of this antique? Well, no time like the present to show this off. Maybe he’d even finda league to join in memory of his dear grandfather who had been a pal, a friend, and a good bowler in his day.
    Today’s Thoughts
    I recommend having fun, because there is nothing better for people in this world than to eat, drink, and enjoy life. That way they will experience some happiness along with all the hard work God gives them.
    E CCLESIASTES 8:15 NLT
    Lord, thank you for work and for play. May I live a balanced life for your glory.

45
    Clever Guy
    Six-year-old Tommy pulled down the photo albums from the bottom shelf of the bookcase in his grandmother’s den. He liked to look through them whenever he was bored with TV or video games. He thumbed through the pages while his Grandmother Ann looked on from the desk where she was filing some paperwork. “Gram, can you help me find the pictures of my mom and Uncle Wes and Aunt Chris when they were kids?”
    Ann walked over and picked up the burgundy album. She handed it to Tommy. “I think most of their school pictures are in here.”
    Tommy plopped back on the floor and turned the pages. Each picture was marked with the grade the child was in at the time of the photo. He knew his mom’s by heart. There were nine photos of her—from kindergarten to eighth grade. He counted