I was reading a novel recently where one of the characters was talking about defining moments in their life. What are yours?
I had a few…
- Junior High: Music class was my favorite time of day! We were singing and my teacher, Mr. Bartholomew, stopped us in the middle of the song, got his grade book out and said,” I just HAVE to give you an ‘A’–and was looking straight at ME. He said I put so much spirit and effort and joy into singing. I knew I was loud and not that good~ but from that moment on, he gave me a free pass to sing my heart out for the rest of my life.
- High School: Our class went on a trip to Six Flags Over Texas. Me and a classmate, Thomas, somehow got split up from the rest of the crowd for just a few moments. In those few moments, as the sun shone on his beautiful face, gentle eyes and beautiful smile, my heart whispered to me, ” You’re going to end up with him.” It was totally random–we were just friends and I we never even dated. We are now married, 40 years later.
- High School- I was on the drill team and absolutely loved it. A Spanish teacher, Mrs. Hoy, made a comment that I was getting too fat for drill team. I took it so personally and it hurt so much that I quit that high school and went to another one the next year. I believed her off remark and I should have let it slide. It was one of my biggest regrets, not going out for drill team the following year.
- Adulthood: When my 1st husband was dying after having a massive stroke, I had to make a lot of tough decisions by myself. I got to a point where my grief and shock were so great that several people were worried I would harm myself. My Uncle Rodney even went as far as taking me to a Mental Hospital and tried to get me admitted. He could not do it on his own ~ they told us I would have to admit myself. My uncle begged me to do it because he didn’t know how else to deal with me. I could have taken the “out” and let everyone else take care of my sick husband until he died. But I made the decision right then and there to take it all on myself and not hide from it. I truly believe if I had to name a moment where I became an ADULT, it was right then. I don’t regret it at all. It has helped me through so many trials since then, and I am sure I’ll need it again.
- Adulthood: After my 1st husband died, I got in touch with Thomas Bryner. We were friends in high school and had dated briefly in our 20s. I knew I wanted his gentle soul in my life somehow. I really thought he would be married and have about 7 children. He was single and no children. When I called him on the phone and he realized it was me, he hung up. I don’t blame him at all. My defining moment? I didn’t give up. We ended up just emailing for about a month, and decided to reunite on a bridge at a local park on June 15, 2009. He smiled, took my hand and gave me the best , biggest bear hug ever. We got married in 2012. It’s been almost 11 years since we met on that bridge and I have been blessed with those hugs ever since.
