I met Lydia in the fall of 1990 when she was 82 years young. I had just moved to Fort Worth, Texas, with my family. Lydia had moved there just a year before after becoming a widow while living in Minnesota. Her daughter lived in the Fort Worth area and felt it would be better to have Lydia live closer to her. I had lived in Minnesota at one time and in somewhat the same area as Lydia had lived—we connected immediately and began our special, “age difference doesn’t matter” friendship.


Now I am bending over her, singing “Jesus loves me.” At 93, Lydia is being called home to heaven. Why sing this song at this time? Because although it’s a song of simple truths for little children, it’s also a song of grace and peace for all ages—the perfect choice as Lydia leaves this world and enters the joys of heaven.


Jesus loves me, he who died
Heaven’s gate to open wide
He will wash away my sin
Let his little child come in
Yes, Jesus loves me.
Yes, Jesus loves me. . . .


Susanne Hanson
Plover, Wisconsin