Grandma Drivers

Grandma Drivers

A December 29, 2015, headline in USA Today read, “Older Model Drivers.” Written by Terry Byrne and Janet Loehrke, the statistic underneath the headline said, “The fastest-growing demographic among a record-high 214.3 million licensed drivers in the U.S. is age 85 and older. Up 2.9%.” When I read that, I couldn’t help but chuckle a bit because it reminded me of Mrs. Billie Barlow.

I performed Mrs. Barlow’s funeral earlier in December 2015 and had the privilege of honoring her for a life well lived. She was a woman who played by the rules, had a determined way about her, and wanted her independence as long as she could have it. She had that independence up until the morning she died. She was fully dressed and ready for her ride, Mrs. Marion King, to take her to the Senior Adult Christmas Party at the church. She was found on the floor, with her Bible open nearby.

Mrs. Barlow voluntarily gave up driving just a year before as her eyesight began to deteriorate. Prior to that, she volunteered at a school and at a reading center, teaching people to read, up until her early nineties. You see, Mrs. Barlow was an educator, and after she retired from the teaching profession, she continued to use her teaching gift in these ways and also to teach children’s Sunday school at church. She loved to serve others in these wonderful ways and did so for many years.

Mrs. Barlow’s life reminds me of Proverbs 16:31, which states, “Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living a godly life.”

Who are the elderly in your midst? They each have a story, and it is one we can learn from if we will take time to listen.

Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living a godly life.

Proverbs 16:31