Life
Influences...
Aiya Maston
by
Sally Comfort
The person who has influenced me the most
is Aiya Maston. This was a hard choice as there are
many people that have influenced my life.
One of the things Aiya does exceedingly
well is to counsel folks during times of grief. Many of
you have attended the grief group that Aiya was a part
of. It was very comforting to me when my husband was
dying that Aiya was there. She had been visiting him in
the nursing home for some time and had built a
“relationship” with this almost 'mute' man. When he was
dying, and it took three days, she was there in his room
before I arrived in the early mornings. It was a
comfort to have her just being quiet and there. We knew
she had been down the road we must travel, which was a
great comfort.
We studied and worked the ‘Trans’ prayer
grid together, sharing with each other what we were
learning.
When it came time for me to make the move
from my home of 20 years she was there on almost every
trip to look at new places. Aiya had the ability to see
and remember things I didn’t and understood my needs.
Then, when I sold my home and bought the home I have
now, she took over as supervisor of the things I needed
done to the place. When the refrigerator we had bought
would not quit making ice cubes and was spitting them
out everywhere she arranged for the seller to come for
it and got me a refund. This was at a time when my
health was poor. By the way, every time I have ended up
in the emergency room she was there for the entire
visit.
I have watched Aiya successfully take
over as volunteer office staff when we were short of
money and workers. I have watched her raise two great
children without their father. They did have a great
group of "aunties" whose help was supportive along the
way.
Have you noticed how quietly she manages
the office and the workings of the church now? She
seems to have a "natural" talent!
The characteristic I most appreciate is
her honesty. I can always count on her to tell me the
truth. Given my Big Assumption, it is a trait I am
slowly learning with a good mentor.
