|
Sisterly Love
by Elisabeth Hall, The Heritage Group
Sisters certainly do speak their own language. In fact, a simple wink, gentle smile or nod is usually enough for one sister to know what another is thinking. The Johnston sisters — Rosalee Johnston, Barbara Shreffler, Phyllis Shaw and Helen Fritz — know the depths of sisterly bonding firsthand. After being raised apart, they have now come together to live — as residents of Heritage Village Retirement Campus (a Free Methodist ministry in Gerry, NY).
While every family knows its own sorts of struggles, these four sisters persevered through more than their share of heartache. While growing up in the Meadville, PA, area, the sisters found themselves separated, with only limited contact. Barbara, or "Bobbie" as she prefers to be called, remembers, "Our childhood was not what you would call happy. When I was only 10 days old, I was taken and raised by my grandmother. Rosalee, my older sister, lived with our great-grandmother beginning at the age of 18 months. It was only Phyllis and Helen who remained at home with our mother."
While the lives that Rosalee and Bobbie led were safe, both Phyllis and Helen struggled during their childhood years. Helen recounts, "Phyllis and I are the two youngest children, and we were placed in the Gannondale Children’s Home when I was only 12 years old. It was terrible to be there, and after only a few short years, we both ran away. As only children, we were forced to find our own way in this world."
After leaving the children’s facility, Helen and Phyllis returned to the Meadville, PA, area. The four sisters reconnected, but each still struggled. "We all knew of each other and saw each other occasionally, but it wasn’t a real feeling of family togetherness," recounts Phyllis. "It was sort of like we just went about our own lives, without connecting with one another," adds Bobbie.
Heritage Village Retirement Campus
Heritage Village Retirement Campus in Gerry, NY, is a beautiful, 100-acre campus owned and operated by The Heritage Group, a not-for-profit human service ministry of the Free Methodist Church of North America. Independent-living apartments and cottages, as well as assisted living in Bergquist Memorial, provide a purposeful and quality lifestyle for today’s seniors. Both Bobbie and Helen reside comfortably in the apartment accommodations, while Rosalee and Phyllis enjoy the added care available at Bergquist Memorial.
Residents choosing the independent-living option at Heritage Village are provided with a rich and active lifestyle. Activities tailored to individual interests include a woodworking shop, on-campus library, exercise facilities, beautiful outdoor gardens and plenty of opportunities to stroll around the rural campus. Additionally, the on-campus auditorium plays host to several performers and speakers each year.
One of the best features about life at Heritage Village Retirement Campus is the existence of continuing care. If a resident requires more help, Bergquist Memorial offers light assistance with housekeeping, laundry and medications. Each resident also receives three meals a day with snacks as requested. In addition to the services provided, Bergquist residents enjoy a well- appointed, private room with full bath. |
|
The Pastor Opened My Eyes
While their perceived indifference to developing sisterly relationships continued, Bobbie had an enlightening moment. "My husband, Wayne, and I lived in Franklin and thought we were just the typical couple. We didn’t talk to each other much, and didn’t really think anything of it." It wasn’t until a visit from the pastor at the local Evangelical United Brethren (EUB) church that Bobbie saw clearly how her life was unfolding.
"The pastor opened my eyes to how I was living. He literally changed my life … and definitely for the better. My life, up until his visit, was ordinary, without love and basically unhappy. I was 27 years old at the time, and it was the first moment I allowed the love of Christ to enter my heart. My husband did the same. From that moment on, my family’s life was forever changed, and I will always be thankful to that pastor for taking the time to visit me."
Bobbie had finally discovered true meaning in her life, but her sisters still struggled to find their way to happiness. Turning points for Helen, Rosalee and Phyllis came at different times, but still centered on coming to know their Savior.
One by One They Came to Him
Because Bobbie and her husband were now actively involved in the local EUB church, Rosalee decided to attend a service one night just so she could hear Wayne sing. "He had such a beautiful voice, and Bobbie told me he was going to sing at church," recalls Rosalee. It was during this visit to church that Rosalee’s heart was softened, and she was finally able to accept Christ. "I was so touched that evening. From that moment on, my life changed."
The story of salvation for both Phyllis and Helen came more privately. "I was all alone when I felt the Holy Spirit come around me and ask me to accept Jesus Christ," says Helen. "It was the most powerful feeling I have ever had."
Phyllis agrees with her sister’s sentiment but adds, "I had a life of such sorrow and struggle. I never felt like anything went my way. Never during one of my low points had I ever taken the time to cry. When I felt Christ asking me to allow Him into my life, it was the first time I really cried over all the pain I had experienced."
Reconnecting and Moving In
From the time of each one's salvation, life as they knew it was different. The sisters reconnected and began for the first time to develop a real sense of family. "It was only much later in life when we began to know one another," says Bobbie.
After the sisters had come to know Jesus as Lord, their knowledge of and exposure to Christian communities and activities increased. Bobbie was the first to look into Heritage Village Retirement Campus. "My husband, Wayne, became a minister after several years, and he and I had traveled a lot. We learned about Heritage Village and thought it was just beautiful. When he passed away, I started thinking seriously about the possibility of moving to Heritage Village.
"I just happened to mention one day when I was with Helen and Rosalee that I would move to Heritage Village if someone would move with me. I knew they wouldn’t want to, so I was really surprised when Rosalee spoke up and said she would move, too. We decided right then and there that that’s what we were going to do."
Not too long after that, Helen joined Bobbie and Rosalee. "I was determined to stay in my apartment in Oil City, PA, forever," says Helen. "I would always say, ' I'm going to die here.' Well," she adds, "I guess one can change her mind! Now that I’m here, I’m glad I decided to not keep being so strong-willed. I love being with my sisters!"
That left Phyllis as the lone holdout. "I’ve had my application in at Heritage Village for a long time, but I’ve always passed up the opportunity to move here, "she says. "With all of my sisters here, I really started to feel as though I wanted to be here as well. The Lord finally told me it was the right thing to do … and He’s one I don’t argue with!"
While a childhood of struggle and trial is still a part of each sister's makeup, they each look forward to a wonderful, happy future together. "I think all of us living here together is a love gift from God," says Bobbie as she looks at each of her sisters. "Life has been hard for all of us, but we have all ended up OK. I give the credit to Jesus. He changed each of our lives in His timing and according to His plan. I can’t think of anything better."
In response to Bobbie's sentiments, Helen flashes a gentle smile, Phyllis a quick wink, and Rosalee nods her head in agreement. These four sisters definitely speak the same language!
________________________________________________
To schedule a tour or for more information regarding life at Heritage Village Retirement Campus, please contact Sandy Ahlgren, marketing counselor, at (716) 985-6839 or visit www.heritage1886.org.
|
