Thanking God for the fleas ... and Aunt Lou

Last year I wrote a column during Thanksgiving week titled "Thank you for the fleas" -- a key line from Corrie Ten Boom's autobiography, "The Hiding Place."

In the weeks that followed several people told me that after reading the column, they, too, when facing life's trials, were reminded of the line and its profundity.

If you missed the column or haven't read the book, here's a quick synopsis:

In the book, Corrie Ten Boom reflected on the time she and her sister Betsie spent in a concentration camp.

One night after discovering their cell was filled with fleas, the two sisters sat down together for their Bible study. Corrie came to a passage in 1 Thessalonians that said, "Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstance; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus."

At that, Betsie burst with excitement. "That's it, Corrie! That's His answer. 'Give thanks in all circumstances!'"

Betsie proceeded to thank God for their blessings despite their situation. At the end of her prayer, she prayed, "Thank you for the fleas." Corrie was shocked, but Betsie reassured her that they were supposed to be thankful in all things -- including the fleas.

At the time, she could not have imagined why to be thankful for the fleas, only that she should be. Later, she learned that the flea infestation had protected the girls from the brutality of the Nazi guards, who avoided the cell to avoid fleas.

Over the past few weeks I've been thinking about a Corrie Ten Boom in my own life. No, this person was not imprisoned like Corrie, but the trials she faced in life were immense.

The person I speak of is Emma Lou Ayers, better known to me as "Aunt Lou."

Aunt Lou lost her first husband to cancer after only three years of marriage. She was a widow at an age when many of her friends were still having children. In 1955 she remarried. Again, after only 12 years of marriage, she found herself widowed after her husband died from a heart attack.

But the trials this woman faced didn't stop. Over the course of her life she broke her back three times, beat cancer three times (including breast cancer twice) and took care of her mother and two sisters -- living with them for much of that time -- as their health declined.

Aunt Lou could have been bitter about the cards she was dealt in life ... but she wasn't.

Nearly every weekend for as long as I can remember we'd make the 45-minute trip down to Charleston, Mo., to visit Aunt Lou. And the times we couldn't visit in person, I'd call her on the phone.

Every time she answered the phone I'd say, "Hey, young lady." She would laugh and know instantly who it was. We'd talk and talk and talk. Sometimes to the point where'd she say her arm was getting tired.

Never once did Aunt Lou go on about her troubles. When I asked how she was doing, she might say she wasn't feeling well but quickly dismissed it as "old age."

Aunt Lou wanted to know what was going on in my life or the latest news in the family. Of course I shouldn't be surprised. This was a woman who spent her life caring for others.

In June we lost Aunt Lou. She was 92. And that's what brings me to write this column.

For most of my life, my parents and I have spent Thanksgiving with Aunt Lou. Usually we'd bring dinner down to Charleston and enjoy more than enough food, great conversation and a day full of thanks to God for all the blessings in our lives.

This year will be different. Oh sure, my family will enjoy a great Thanksgiving meal, but one chair at the table will be empty. I imagine some of you are facing the same thing this year. It's never easy losing a loved one, and we probably think about these individuals even more during the holidays.

I imagine some tears will be shed and Thanksgiving will be a little different, but we still have much to be thankful for.

Aunt Lou, like Corrie Ten Boom, faced many trials in life. But she was thankful. She had a profound understanding that God has blessed each of us, even when the fleas of life come our way.

So today I choose to be thankful. As hard as it can be, I want to thank God for the fleas. And furthermore, I'm incredibly thankful that God placed Aunt Lou in my life.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Lucas Presson is the editorial-page coordinator for the Southeast Missourian.