Picture Perfect

All I can say is that the Lord sure does work in mysterious ways.

The day after my grandmother's funeral, I decided to write a "Letter to the Editor" of my local newspaper. Marlene, who is the director of the Christian writing group I attend, always encourages us to be a witness for Christ and to "Write His Answer".

Technology as it is these days, I emailed my submission to the newspaper. Less than two hours later, the phone rang. I looked at the caller ID - Calkins Media. No, it couldn't be...

"May I speak with Susan Skitt?"

"Yes, this is Susan."

"I'm calling from the Intelligencer to verify that you were the person who sent the article, Picture Perfect, to our newspaper."

"Yes, that was me. The article was about my grandmother."

"We're going to try to print it with the picture. We can't guarantee it. Only if there's room."

"Thank you. I understand."

And that was the end of the phone conversation. Lord, it's in your hands. If you want that article in the paper, you'll make a way.

Two days later, on New Years Day, I get a phone call from my parents.

"Sue, one of Uncle Jerry's church members just called to say that there is an article in the newspaper about Nanna."

I turned to my husband Jim. He was making waffles for us on his day off from work.

"Wow, Sue. They printed it."

"Oh my. We need to run down to the mail box and get that newspaper!"

And so, here's a copy of what the paper printed. I've included it on this post with a color picture of my entire family - my grandmom who we called Nanna (who is home with the Lord) and grandfather, my mom and dad, my two sisters, their husbands and their children, my brother, his wife and his children, and oh yeah, my husband, my boys and me. The paper even graciously included the picture in black and white with the article.

The title I sent was, "Picture Perfect". The newspaper added to the title making it, "A Picture Perfect Gift for Nana" - which is even better. Editor's are good at that. May the name of Jesus be proclaimed!

The Zweitzig family - for nana

A picture perfect gift for nana

To the Editor:

Three days before Christmas I walked into a local arts and crafts store - Michael’s in Warrington - with an important request. “Could you please put this picture into the frame I am purchasing from your store? I’m taking it directly to my grandmother. She went into hospice last night and doctors haven’t given her much time to live.”

I knew the framing department was busy - the manager told me so - but this young lady named Jen, took three minutes to quickly clean up the glass and place the beautiful family picture in the frame.

After leaving Michael’s, I drove directly to Abington Memorial’s Hospice in Warminster. I sat next to my grandmother’s bed and helped her open the package. “Oh this is the best Christmas present ever,” my grandmother exclaimed. Knowing her life on Earth was near an end she added, “Next to knowing Jesus of course.”

A smile lit up nana’s face as she gazed at the framed picture of her family – her oldest son and his wife, four grandchildren and their spouses, and eleven great-grandchildren. In the middle of the picture sat my grandmother, age 89 and my grandfather, age 90. I placed the 10x13 inch framed photo on a table next to her bedside.

The next morning nana slipped into a coma. A few hours later, less than 24 hours after giving her the framed family picture, Jesus took her home to Heaven.

I am thankful for that young lady at the store who took a few extra minutes to make my grandmother’s last present on earth “picture perfect.”

Susan Kelly Skitt, New Britain Township