Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Shopping (03/01/07)
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TITLE: A Missionary Mom's Sacrifice & Joy | Previous Challenge Entry
By Valora Otis
03/08/07 -
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She better be careful or she’d pull some more stitches out where they had tucked her tummy. At least the doctor had said that in a year all the reconstructive -surgery would be complete. She wanted to be whole again. Cancer had robbed time from her kids that she couldn’t replace. Allison gave herself a mental shake. She ran her hand across the forest green ballistic nylon of the luggage. It was smooth under her fingertips.
“Here it is Sean. I think this one is perfect!” Her son pulled out the luggage in one fluid motion. “I think this one will last several years after your mission. What do you think?” The slow slurping noise of the mechanical wound V.A.C. slung over her shoulder was the only noise both of them heard for a second.
“It’s really expensive mom.”
“Well, you need it to last. Remember, you’re going to be in the jungle. It has backpack straps, so you can carry the largest piece when the roads are too muddy to pull it.
“Check out the wheels! Sweet!” Sean ran his hands over the exaggerate d tread.
Blue eyes met after Sean viewed the expensive piece of luggage.
“Mom, we can’t afford this. We have a budget to stick to remember? Did you see the price tag?” His brows were knit together with concern.
“I just cashed my last royalty check. It’ll cover the cost, silly. Go ahead, open it up and check it out. This is my gift to you.” She paused, hey, do you mind if I sit a bit?” She was pale again. She could tell by the way Sean was looking at her.
“Sure mom, there’s a chair right over there by the men’s suits.” She crossed the distance with his loving assistance. Allison carefully lowered herself to the soft seat.
“I’ll be fine." She patted his hand. "Just need to sit for a second. Why don’t you pull that luggage on over here, kiddo?”
As Allison’s son walked the distance across the isle––she thought of the crisp white shirts and ties all waiting to be nestled in a brand new suitcase. She imagined in the shoes that would protect her son’s feet for miles off the beaten path in Peru. Allison would miss his sleepy bed head each morning before he left for work.
Letting go was the right thing to do. She was giving him over to the Lords capable hands, He would watch over her son like He always had. This tall devoted son would bless other lives as he aided them in their daily struggles. What a blessing it was going to be when he baptized a family that had never heard of Jesus. That was the payoff for something as hard as this. The light of Christ would shine in another human beings eyes because of her small sacrifice.
“Mom, are you okay?” Sean swept a hand through his hair in that worried fashion he’d inherited from his dad.
“Son, I don’t think I’ve ever been so okay. Let’s get back to shopping. I hear that you have to wear flea collars around your ankles in the Amazon Jungle. Is that true?
Sean smirked. “Its all true, mom. Guess we can check luggage off that list.” He gently helped her stand. She adjusted the black bag with the tube that went under her clothing–– to help heal the after effects of the cancer she’d conquered. Allison didn’t seem to mind the contraption so much now. He took her by the hand just like when he was a toddler. This time it was she that was a little unsteady, but oh, so full of joy.
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Be careful of isle / aisle.
You did a good job of showing us her fatigue, her pain, and her love.