By Cindy Adams

Linda held her mama's hand in the quiet of their home as her mama’s life slowly ebbed away. She whispered prayers to “Dr. Jesus,” her constant companion. When her mother finally passed, Linda had lost more than her second parent. She had lost her home. She could not take care of herself there, so other arrangements had to be made. But sometimes, when everything seems lost, grace appears.

Finding Family

Darlene Correll, an enCircle Family Care Provider in Danville, had not planned to add another person to her home. She was already caring for LaToya, who had been with her for several years. But when a case manager reached out to her about Linda’s situation, she felt something stir in her heart and said yes. It started with Linda spending daytime hours with Darlene during her mama’s final weeks. It was a period of transition for everyone.

When Linda’s mama passed, both Darlene and LaToya were alongside her at the funeral. They witnessed Linda practicing her deeply-held faith. Despite her own grief, Linda's first instinct was to care for others. She moved from person to person, offering hugs and gentle words of comfort. She wrapped her arms around her younger sister, whispering encouragement.

"Linda was phenomenal looking after her sister," Darlene remembers. "Her deep faith always prompts her to prayer.”

A Home Becomes a Haven

When Linda moved in full time with Darlene, she and LaToya spent a lot of time with Darlene's sister, Diane, who was their assistant Family Care Provider. She became their bridge to the wider world, driving them to birthday parties, the park and shopping trips. Linda's favorite was the bowling alley. For ten beautiful years, Diane made sure their lives were full of community and connection.

Then cancer arrived.

"It was hard when I had to tell them Diane had cancer," Darlene recalls. "I told them we were going to bring her into our home and care for her."

Linda stepped naturally into the caregiver role, sitting beside Diane's bed, offering prayers when words weren't enough.

At Diane's funeral, Linda again gave hugs to family and friends and reminded everyone, including Darlene, that Diane was now with her mama and "with Dr. Jesus, up in heaven."

"I am humbled by her," Darlene says. "When she gives me those hugs and tells me she's praying for me, I just appreciate her so much. She'll say, 'I love you, Darlene Crowder,' and that means everything."

Faith in Action

Darlene supports Linda in countless ways, including her desire to go to church every Sunday/ and it is here where Linda brings her whole heart. When the choir sings, she joins in, singing with every fiber of her being, her voice rising in uninhibited praise. The choir members love it, saying "Let her go!" And sometimes Linda throws in a little shimmy dance that fills the sanctuary with joy.

"I am surprised by her resilience," Darlene says. "She's been through so much, and she still has a heart of gold. We could all take a page from Linda."

Perhaps nothing captures Linda's spirit more than her daily ritual. Before every meal, Linda lifts her food toward heaven with reverent hands, looks up and asks, "Dr. Jesus, do you want some first?"

In that simple gesture lives Linda's heart—always giving, always loving, alway faithful.