Nancy Becker gave me a great God moment--Thank You Nancy!

When I was about 13 or 14, my mother started to watch T-Jay and Ron Becker at our house...soon thereafter those boys' mom, Nancy was asking me if I could babysit the boys at her home.  I think she realized we were pretty broke and I could use the extra spending money.  The boys were a delight; very active and very polite.  I always loved T-Jay's crazy curly hair!

Nancy was always so sweet to me and seemed genuinely concerned about what I was going to do in my life and we enjoyed a lot of long talks.  We had recently reconnected on Facebook and we were going to be meeting for lunch.  I had no idea I would never see this friend again.

She gave me a gift I will never forget because God used her in a very special way to remind me that he was watching out for me.

When I was 18 or 19, I had been plagued by nightmares of getting hit by a car on my bicycle.  I had this dream so often I was a little skittish on my bike for awhile.  At this young age, I had grown angry at God because of the abuse in my youth and how emotionally and mentally it had held me back from the power I felt I would have had otherwise. At that time, I spent very little time in prayer or in church.

I went home to Bath for a period in the spring to volunteer at a Senior Play Production at Haverling High School--I had graduated from there just the year before.  I decided to ride my bicycle to rehearsal because it was such a nice day.

I remember getting close to the school.  I had always known there was this big pothole near the entry of Ellas Avenue that all the buses would hit but this day I forgot about it.  When my front tire hit it and swerved into the road, I thought I hope there is no car there.  Before I knew it I was flying over the top of some car and the next thing I knew....I was dreaming all over again.  In my dream I had been hit by a car badly and was unable to walk and in the dream, the woman I used to babysit for and my friend, Nancy Becker had hit me with her car.

When I came to on the street, many people were standing around me.  I could not feel my legs and I felt intense pain all over.  I looked up and there was Nancy standing over me.  She was saying she was sorry and I couldn't speak.  It felt almost like those times on TV when people say they were dead and watching themselves from above.  I was not dead but I could not move.  An ambulance took me to the hospital and on the ride I started to feel my legs again....thank God....

I was taken to Ira Davenport Hospital and Nancy came of course.  I told her I had been dreaming for months that someone was going to hit me on my bicycle.  Nancy said she wished I had warned her but I told her I had never remember who hit me when I would awake....until that day when she was standing over me. Boy I was a hurting camper for quite some time.  My lower calves were blackened with bruises as well as my tailbone---but within months I was as good as new.

Why was this a God moment?  Someone else could have hit me and killed me.  Someone that was going faster and not so kind.  God chose Nancy and at that moment I realized that God had really sent an angel to watch over me.  I know she felt awful but of course it was not her fault; the pothole was fixed shortly thereafter.  I will never forget that day because that accident and the way Nancy cared for me on that day changed the course of my life.  I knew I had been saved from serious injury or death and became grateful for life all over again.

I still have pain on my left leg on my outside calf and my hit still pops out of joint---this was from the accident.  But you will never hear me complain about the accident or it happening to me.  For this I am grateful because I was spared.  Nancy probably was scared to death at the moment but she was used as an instrument of God and I have been blessed with a great life.

Nancy had been blessed too....a career, two wonderful and handsome boys, two beautiful daughter in laws and a grand-daughter she was very smitten with.  I never heard her complain about anything because I know God filled her heart and I know where she is now without one doubt.  Thank you Nancy for awakening me and being my friend. And I know one day I will see her again.....

 "Friends are friends forever if the Lord's the Lord of them...."  Michael W. Smith

 

Face to Face with my own mortality-RIP Barb

This week brought the death of classmate, Barb Kish. We both attended Haverling High School in Bath, New York.  I never knew her as a friend but I remember her always being very cheery and nice.  They are not sure what caused her death yet but she was very young.  I am 43 and I think she was just a few years older than I.

Since the sudden and very tragic death of my brother, James, who was killed in Idaho in 2006, death has sometimes numbed me.  Not that I am not compassionate and empathetic towards other's losses but I don't cry as much when I hear people I know have died.  James dying really wiped me out and caused such enormous pain that not much can compare to that.

Barb's death hit me hard.  I wish I had known her personally but I did not.  What hit me the worst was the writings of her daughters on her Facebook page.  I felt so sad for them and thought about my own girls and how my loss would effect their lives.  I became overwhelmed to the point where I had bouts of crying all day and couldn't look at my girls without crying.  It totally threw me off base because I had not had such intense pain in quite some time.  I want so much for my girls and want to be there for them through their good times and their sad times.  I want to see them graduate from high school, attend college and be happy productive adults.  Isn't that what most wish for their children?

My girls have different fathers.  My oldest daughter's dad and I barely speak and I can imagine if I passed, he would be difficult as far as letting her see my youngest daughter.  That breaks my heart....God, if you are listening, and I am sure you are, when you decide to take me---and only you know your timing of that---please soften the hearts of my daughters' fathers and let them see how much these two young ladies love each other.

Barb, may you rest in peace and join your heavenly father on high.

She was a wonderful lady from all I have heard! Here is the link to her Facebook page -https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=584726087

My Sister is a Saint--Part Two: Where in the World?

Out of all of the places in the world I have wanted to go---Paris, Mexico, Nova Scotia, the Bahamas, etc...What place do I crave on a daily basis?  IDAHO....and no not just because my sisters are there....Although Tamara would be 80% of the reason---and those beautiful kids of hers another 10%---the active life there and all the options of things to do beckon my brain.  Having been there I think about 6 times now---I have gone mountain climbing, whitewater rafting, canoeing, gone to the Kayaking National Championships, boating, and more!

Here in Broome County we are surrounded by water---none of which people actually recreationally use!  I have never understood it.  And that is just one of the reasons I am highly unsatisfied here.  I am here it seems like it or not for another 7 years.  2019 can't come quick enough.....but I digress....

Idaho is a refreshing breath of air that I want to suck up with every inch of me.  I was so active the last time I was there with Tamara and Glenn and the kids and yet I still gained about 7 pounds.  How you ask?  Glenn and Tamara are also excellent chefs and I certainly never leave my appetite at home.  We ate and ate and ate and loved all of it.  When you cook for 7 people on a daily basis, creativity is very important.  I have never met anyone else in my life that has as much food on hand either....the cupboards are always full, refrigerator full and then a full pantry with all kinds of goodies in hiding.

Maybe if I did live near my sister I would be 50 plus pounds heavier but I just know I would be happier.  Of course everyone thinks they would be happier somewhere else right?  Or is it just me.

My sister is a saint and I say there is no one else on this planet I can talk to for two hours straight and still want to talk with more.  Is it just a sister thing?  I really am not sure because I don't talk to other woman about their sisters...but I know mine is a charm!  http://www.visitidaho.org/

My Sister Tamara Is A Saint - Part One

Now I know religiously speaking some may not prefer that I use this term but trust me I don't use it lightly.  My sister happens to be 10 years younger than I ( I am 43 ) but she also happens to have three more children.  Alison (10), Isaac (9), Logan and Connor (7 year old twins!) and Asa (4) are all charmers for sure! A week or two in Idaho is never enough with this gang---they will keep you busy and tire you out like no other children I know.

When I wonder what happens to all my energy, I think God is taking it all for her.  I complain about not having much left over after a day of cooking, dishes, cleaning, laundry, my job (usually about 4 to 5 hours a day), softball practice....did I already say dishes and laundry!  Where do all the clothes and dishes come from ?!?

I was at my sister's last summer and got a good solid reality check.  For those of you with a couple of children like me or none, there are questions that may come to mind:

How does a family like this operate so efficiently? Well with a Great Mom and a Great Dad---I didn't say perfect but I did say Great!  They are a team---Glenn and Tamara are the strongest example I know of two parents are who completely dedicated to their children.  They may not always agree on how things should happen but you can bet your fortune on the fact they will come to a compromise to resolve the problem/situation quickly. I have seen them mad at each other but I cannot think of one moment I have seen them be hateful or greatly disrespectful to one another.  (I remember warning Glenn when he married my baby sister---"If you ever hurt her, we will hunt you down...." I have never once thought about having to do this!)

Next question:  How does one pair all the socks for that many children?  Well, ONE does not...it takes your sister coming once a year to help...just joking.  In a perfect world I would give them all one color socks.  Alison would have just pink, Isaac just black, Logan just green, Connor just blue and Asa just red----notice I didn't say white right?  That is because giving a kid white socks seems just dumb although we all do it!  We do not live in a perfect world and pink and green just don't go with too much so pairing socks is a small nightmare!  And Tamara can't count on me coming once a year to help....now if I win the lottery---maybe then I could make a substantial contribution.   I won't hold my breath!

(Time for Bed - Part Two to come.....)

So the sun has started to show her smiling face to Binghamton.  I am on a mission to greet it with passion.  Enjoying walks with my girls and shedding some "baby weight."  Loving life and living in the moment.  I must remain connected to the moment so I don't lose track of all the good things.  It is so easy to get wrapped up in the negative but I will not allow myself to do that.  I am the happy mommy of two beautiful creations of God and could not be more proud of them.  Thank you God for my girls! http://www.facebook.com/dianeellenhunter

Sue Mack Tours NYC and beyond: Central Park Rambling

Check out my friend Sue's travels in New York City!  I am envious!  Love you Sue !  Sue Mack Tours NYC and beyond: Central Park Rambling