I stopped picking apples and stared at her with a puzzled look. Her actions were most peculiar � she would pick up a bruised, browned apple from the ground, and instead of chucking it into the field, would place it gently into a paper bag. Confused and astounded, I continued with my task as I contemplated why she would treat such bruised apples in a soft manner.
Lois Abel�s health is deteriorating as we speak. Her heart no longer beats strongly inside her chest, but it still throbs in emotion. Church services are on the top of her list, along with participating in praying of the rosary and being a strong link in the church prayer chain. Minutes outdoors are cherished and rare as she tires easily while performing duties she�s in love with. It wasn�t always this way.
On December 26th, 1932, Lois Alderman was born into a depressed world. Dust storms swirled around the rural Lidgerwood farmhouse during her demanding childhood. The Great Depression had overtaken the United States, bringing sorrow, suffering and pain with its dusty winds. Her playtime consisted of make-believe in her yard � an oversized sandbox - with her older sister, Pearl. A wooden swing often was occupied as they giggled and gossiped for hours on end.
Her first day of grade school brought change upon the Alderman household. The Alderman�s moved to urban Lidgerwood, leaving the farmhouse behind to deal with the barnyard cats and stray mutts. Lois� mother watched her three brothers and three younger sisters while Pearl held Lois� five-year-old hand on the terrifying walk to school. She cried as she entered the classroom, her shy figure one among many. But tears disappeared as she later sought friendship and companionship in her classmates.
In third grade, Lois participated in an operetta as a fairy. �My teacher said I was one of the best dancing fairies she had ever seen.� Lois said with a crooked smile and tears dotting her eyes, �It�s amazing how much words can impact you many years later.�
During the majority of high school, she produced friendships - but not relationships - with the opposite sex. Teachers provided challenging schoolwork for Lois, who especially enjoyed English. Lois was an attractive and spirited cheerleader for her four years of high school. Music entertained her and others as she performed as a soprano in choir and a drummer in the marching and concert band. She held a babysitting job during her high school career, receiving twenty-five cents an hour, sometimes fifty cents on a good day.
In her senior year, she dated a basketball player who was also a fellow classmate. They attended Homecoming together and saw each other for a while after that. But then Francis Abel took a starring role in her life�s movie. He asked her out on a date while she was still seeing the basketball player, and they clicked instantly. After Lois graduated from high school, Francis was sent off to fight in World War II. During his absence, Lois slowly weaned herself away from her current boyfriend and waited patiently for Francis to return. When he returned from the war, he graciously accepted Lois into his loving arms once again. Continuing where they left off, their love blossomed into a loving marriage.
Now Francis and Lois Abel have six children, sixteen grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. She prays and will continue to pray every day, hoping that everyone in her family lives a devote life with honor, integrity, and high morals. Prayers for happiness and healthiness leave her lips often. Joy uplifts her wrinkled face when she thinks of life eternally with her Father after death. Lois still enjoys the outdoors � gardening her favorite � and she still picks apples.
Finally, I could take it no longer. �Grandma, why are you keeping the disgusting apples that are bruised and browned? We have plenty of crisp, untouched apples up here!� I questioned down to her.
Looking at me with a sparkle in her eye, she reached up and took my hand. �Honey, even though they aren�t perfect on the outside doesn�t mean that they aren�t good on the inside,� she replied while she picked up another bruised apple and deposited it on top of the overflowing bag. Her eyes met mine and conveyed a hidden message.
I sat down beneath the shade of the apple tree and admired my grandma as she worked. She just taught me the most important lesson in my life in a way so unique. Some individuals may appear ragged on the outside, but are loving, caring souls in the inside. The wisdom that she shared made me realize it�s not the outward appearance that attracts true friendships, but the heart and soul that radiates from beneath the surface.