For six straight years, David traveled to California from Iowa to visit Nana, his 90-year-old alumni friend from the college where they both previously worked. Nana had been the librarian at the college for many years and their conversations most generally centered on the topic of books. However, this time, in less than a year since his last visit, Nana’s Alzheimer’s had accelerated rapidly taking a toll on her cognititve functions. Over the years, she and David had developed an enduring friendship. Nana was also a talented seamstress and had a deep passion for sewing. 

This visit was different from all of the rest. Nana now lived in a one-bedroom apartment in a Memory Care Unit. While Nana was physically home, she was not truly present anymore. There was little to no meaningful conversation, no book talk, no sewing activity, no trips down memory lane. Nana just sat there, staring off into space. 

On the table, sat a small box of buttons. The buttons were of all shapes, sizes, and colors. In past years, Nana would use these buttons to create sewing masterpieces. These buttons would never experience the joy of finding their place on a new garment ever again, at least not by Nana’s gentle and caring hands. 

On his flight home, David reflected on his trip to visit Nana. This would no doubt be his last time seeing Nana on this side of eternity. His mind was fixated on the box of abandoned buttons. David took out a pen and paper and began to write a poem that he titled “Button in a Box”. His poem encapsulates the sadness of a button that loses its purpose, but captures the redemptive power of a loving hand. 

Let the final stanza of the poem resonate in your spirit. We never fully know when a button that has lost its purpose is near us. We must all be mindful and alert when a person is filled with pain and hurt.