6 Signs Your Loved One Needs Additional Care: What to Look For This Thanksgiving
November 20, 2025
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For the past two years, Willow Brook has held a fiction short story contest, with the winning story to be published in the Christmas issue of our Reflections newsletter. However, in light of the retirement of Willow Brook’s longtime CEO, Larry Harris, a tribute to him was published instead. Today, we would like to highlight one of the two short stories that was chosen as honorable mention (we’ll be sharing the second story next week!). Thank you to the two gifted authors who have allowed the Babbling Brook to share their work with you.
When we got ready to go one afternoon Steve’s dad, Walt, followed us out and said to wait as he rummaged around in the garage. All at once, my husband was carrying a large box and a basket out to the car. A projector, piles of photos and even film filled our backseat. We thanked him, waving goodbye.
“What are we going to do with all of that?” It flew out of my mouth before I looked at his expression. Steve wasn’t happy about it either, but we were now the curators of the family film heirlooms. As I looked at the basket a couple of days later the package of eight millimeter film grabbed my attention because of what was printed on the outside; Valentine’s Day Wedding, 1942. Now here was a prize! Steve’s parents were married right before his dad shipped out to go to World War II and this might be something we could keep! Steve’s mother had died before we were even married, so I sent the film to a company in California that promised they would try to develop it and make it into a DVD for us.
The fall sped by and we then heard that Walt’s health was poor and he had been moved to a nearby nursing home by Steve’s brother who lived in a nearby county. The thought of what to buy Walt for Christmas became an overwhelming priority and dilemma! What do you buy for someone in ill health and in a nursing home?
The DVD from California arrived and Steve and I watched it over and over. The company had put great music in the background and the film said it all; the best man and matron of honor giggled and teased the newlyweds. Margie carried her wedding cake in and set it on the farmhouse table and looked so proud. She had a pretty printed dress and corsage pinned on with her dark hair carefully arranged in curls. Our favorite part of the video was when the young couple was out in the back yard chasing each other around with a rolling pin, laughing at one another. Their joy at their new life together could be felt through that old film.
When we arrived at the nursing home we coaxed Walt into a wheel chair and drove him down the long corridor to a large room with tables and chairs, pushing him up to a small one in a corner. Steve saw his brother pull up in the parking lot and went out to talk with him as I pulled out a laptop computer and turned it on. Walt wondered what I was doing and smiling at him I replied, “Why this is your Christmas gift!”
As the music began on the DVD Walt’s eyes widened and his mouth dropped open. All at once his hands shot out and he gripped the sides of the laptop. “Margie!” he cried. Tears began streaming down his face and he watched it over and over. I could tell that Walt was no longer in the room, but back in that farm yard chasing Margie around and laughing.
The afternoon finally ended and when we pulled on our coats to leave, Steve raised his voice so Walt could hear him, “Merry Christmas, Dad!” Walt nodded and then motioned for me to come over to his bed. Leaning over to hug him, as I always did, he pulled me toward him and said softly, “Thank you for the best Christmas gift ever!”
Author’s Dedication Note:
To Randy and Ona Randolph, my parents, who taught me the joy of Christian living.
A very merry Christmas to you!