My earliest childhood memory is filled with laughter and the warmth of close friendships. I grew up surrounded by friends—Linda, Marjorie, Marie, and Sharyn—all living nearby. We spent most of our time together, playing outside until the sun set, making the world our playground. We climbed trees, rode bicycles, played hide-and-seek, and shared stories that only childhood innocence could create. Sundays were special; we all attended Monticello Methodist Church together. We went to Sunday School, worship services, and participated in MYF (Methodist Youth Fellowship). Those Sundays shaped my understanding of faith and community, teaching me that life was meant to be shared with others in love and joy.
As I reflect on how the world has changed since then, I see how personal connections have shifted. When I was young, we didn’t have the technology that dominates life today. We had no television at home until I was around ten or twelve, and even then, it only had a few channels. We shared an eight-party phone line, and whenever someone else was talking, we had to wait our turn. It was a different time—simpler in many ways, yet richer in personal interaction. People talked face-to-face more, sat together on front porches, and visited one another without needing an invitation. There was an unspoken trust and a sense of community that has become rarer in today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world. Social norms have changed, and while technology has brought advancements, it has also distanced people from one another. I miss the days when a handshake or a handwritten letter meant so much.
One of my proudest moments was the day I was accepted into nursing school. I had always dreamed of becoming a nurse, and when I received that acceptance letter, I felt overwhelming gratitude. My prayers had been answered, and I was given the opportunity to pursue a life of caring for others. Nursing became not just a profession but a calling, a way to live out the values instilled in me from childhood. I worked for 47 years, finding joy in caring for patients, especially during my time in home care, traveling all over the county to help those in need. There were long nights and difficult cases, but each time I saw a patient smile or felt the grip of a thankful hand, I knew I was where God had called me to be. Nursing was more than medical care; it was about offering comfort, hope, and dignity to those in their most vulnerable moments.
Faith has always been the foundation of my life. My family instilled strong Christian values in me from the beginning. My father rang the church bell every Sunday, and I remember sitting beside him as he counted the offering in his roll-top desk. Church was our center—Sunday School, worship services, and MYF were constants in my upbringing. We sang hymns together, learned Bible verses, and built friendships that lasted a lifetime. Even as I grew older, my faith remained unwavering. Bob and I raised our children in the church, and it brings me great joy to know that our grandchildren continue to be part of a faith community. Watching them grow in their own faith is one of the greatest blessings of my life, and I pray they carry it forward into future generations.
Life has had its challenges, and faith has carried me through the hardest times. I remember when our son Eric had his tonsils removed. The surgery seemed routine until he began hemorrhaging. I prayed desperately, bargaining with God, asking Him to let Eric live. I remember feeling completely helpless, but I also remember the overwhelming peace that settled over me when I surrendered it to God. Looking back, I realize that faith is not about making deals with God, but rather about trusting Him completely. God was with us that day, guiding the doctors’ hands, strengthening our hearts, and reminding us that He is in control. He has been with us through every trial, and I have learned that even in the darkest moments, His light never dims.
Music has also played a significant role in my faith journey. Hymns like “Because He Lives” and “He Keeps Me Singing” have been sources of comfort and encouragement. I remember my mother sitting at the piano, playing “He Keeps Me Singing” with such joy. The sound of those melodies filled our home, creating an atmosphere of peace and worship. Those songs remain close to my heart, reminding me of God’s constant presence. Even now, when I hear them in church, I am transported back to my childhood, to a time when faith was as simple and pure as a child’s trust in their parents.
My greatest hope for my children and grandchildren is that they will know the Lord and follow Him. I pray that their lives will be rooted in faith and that they will always find strength in God’s love. Life will bring uncertainties, but if they remain steadfast in their faith, they will never walk alone. I want them to know that God is their refuge, their guide, and their greatest source of joy. If I could leave them with one message, it would be to place their faith and trust in the Lord, to pray always, and to live with gratitude. In a world that constantly seeks to pull people away from faith, I hope they will stand firm and shine as lights for Christ.
Looking back on life, I believe the most important lesson I’ve learned is that gratitude gives strength. Each day, I choose to be grateful—for my family, my faith, and the life God has given me. Even in difficult times, I have found that gratitude changes everything. It shifts my focus from what is lacking to what is abundant, from worry to trust, from sorrow to joy. I have been richly blessed, not just with things, but with people, experiences, and a faith that has carried me through. If I am remembered for anything, I hope it is for kindness. I have tried to live a life of kindness, serving others, and reflecting the love of Christ in all I do. In the end, I believe that love, kindness, and faith are the greatest legacies we can leave behind.
As I reflect on how the world has changed since then, I see how personal connections have shifted. When I was young, we didn’t have the technology that dominates life today. We had no television at home until I was around ten or twelve, and even then, it only had a few channels. We shared an eight-party phone line, and whenever someone else was talking, we had to wait our turn. It was a different time—simpler in many ways, yet richer in personal interaction. People talked face-to-face more, sat together on front porches, and visited one another without needing an invitation. There was an unspoken trust and a sense of community that has become rarer in today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world. Social norms have changed, and while technology has brought advancements, it has also distanced people from one another. I miss the days when a handshake or a handwritten letter meant so much.
One of my proudest moments was the day I was accepted into nursing school. I had always dreamed of becoming a nurse, and when I received that acceptance letter, I felt overwhelming gratitude. My prayers had been answered, and I was given the opportunity to pursue a life of caring for others. Nursing became not just a profession but a calling, a way to live out the values instilled in me from childhood. I worked for 47 years, finding joy in caring for patients, especially during my time in home care, traveling all over the county to help those in need. There were long nights and difficult cases, but each time I saw a patient smile or felt the grip of a thankful hand, I knew I was where God had called me to be. Nursing was more than medical care; it was about offering comfort, hope, and dignity to those in their most vulnerable moments.
Faith has always been the foundation of my life. My family instilled strong Christian values in me from the beginning. My father rang the church bell every Sunday, and I remember sitting beside him as he counted the offering in his roll-top desk. Church was our center—Sunday School, worship services, and MYF were constants in my upbringing. We sang hymns together, learned Bible verses, and built friendships that lasted a lifetime. Even as I grew older, my faith remained unwavering. Bob and I raised our children in the church, and it brings me great joy to know that our grandchildren continue to be part of a faith community. Watching them grow in their own faith is one of the greatest blessings of my life, and I pray they carry it forward into future generations.
Life has had its challenges, and faith has carried me through the hardest times. I remember when our son Eric had his tonsils removed. The surgery seemed routine until he began hemorrhaging. I prayed desperately, bargaining with God, asking Him to let Eric live. I remember feeling completely helpless, but I also remember the overwhelming peace that settled over me when I surrendered it to God. Looking back, I realize that faith is not about making deals with God, but rather about trusting Him completely. God was with us that day, guiding the doctors’ hands, strengthening our hearts, and reminding us that He is in control. He has been with us through every trial, and I have learned that even in the darkest moments, His light never dims.
Music has also played a significant role in my faith journey. Hymns like “Because He Lives” and “He Keeps Me Singing” have been sources of comfort and encouragement. I remember my mother sitting at the piano, playing “He Keeps Me Singing” with such joy. The sound of those melodies filled our home, creating an atmosphere of peace and worship. Those songs remain close to my heart, reminding me of God’s constant presence. Even now, when I hear them in church, I am transported back to my childhood, to a time when faith was as simple and pure as a child’s trust in their parents.
My greatest hope for my children and grandchildren is that they will know the Lord and follow Him. I pray that their lives will be rooted in faith and that they will always find strength in God’s love. Life will bring uncertainties, but if they remain steadfast in their faith, they will never walk alone. I want them to know that God is their refuge, their guide, and their greatest source of joy. If I could leave them with one message, it would be to place their faith and trust in the Lord, to pray always, and to live with gratitude. In a world that constantly seeks to pull people away from faith, I hope they will stand firm and shine as lights for Christ.
Looking back on life, I believe the most important lesson I’ve learned is that gratitude gives strength. Each day, I choose to be grateful—for my family, my faith, and the life God has given me. Even in difficult times, I have found that gratitude changes everything. It shifts my focus from what is lacking to what is abundant, from worry to trust, from sorrow to joy. I have been richly blessed, not just with things, but with people, experiences, and a faith that has carried me through. If I am remembered for anything, I hope it is for kindness. I have tried to live a life of kindness, serving others, and reflecting the love of Christ in all I do. In the end, I believe that love, kindness, and faith are the greatest legacies we can leave behind.
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