Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: NEIGHBOR (06/01/17)
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TITLE: My Adopted Daughter Kidnapped Me | Previous Challenge Entry
By Judith Gayle Smith-Owens Vitouswykegardinerclark
06/08/17 -
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To my left sits my sister, lumped comfortably on her bed, wallowing in her beads - makes me think of Scrooge McDuck diving into his treasure of golden coins. She has only one stuffed observer - no room for more...
Weve been transplanted from the busy city to the peaceful green of almost country. My "adopted" daughter kidnapped us to have us restart our lives. Incredibly unbelievable - she had cleared the room, dedicated to Disney, just for us totally unprepared but cozily content gals.
When I emailed her about my husband's passing, she came ready to pick us up and take us home with her. She said she could not stand the thought of our becoming homeless. She took us in hand and heart. She relieved me of great burdens by not letting me return to our house - she moved us out of our home so we could start fresh memories. We happily call her a true neighbor.
She spent many weekends preparing our house to sell - she and her son worked through holidays: Mother's Day and Memorial Day. They both have responsible jobs, so when she comes home late Sunday nights, she "Zombie" walks/falls into bed and arises before six in the morning to be at work. I don't know what I'd do without her. This neighbor is a very special angel - my "adopted" daughter. And my, has she given me many sons and daughters, grandchildren and great-grand children. My cup is running over...
I was in a nursing home recovering from a bad mishap in my bathtub. Almost two months away from home - both my husband and me. We were in separate hospitals. My husband was fighting hard to overcome a leg amputation (over his knee), complicated by heart and lung problems so severe - he had to remain in Intensive Care ten days. For hospice care he was brought to where I was, and was given the bed across from me.
God had His Hand in this. I hadn't seen him for twenty days; no one told him where I was or why I couldn't visit him. He and I played "I love you" - "I love you more" - "you better" back and forth for over an hour. He was getting awfully tired so we went to sleep. He was gone just a few hours later. He was my best friend next to Jesus - he saved my sanity - Jesus saved our souls. When we are weak, we have no greater Neighbor than Jesus...
I met our "kidnapper" when my husband and I attended a Bible conference in Soap Lake, Washington. She looked so perfectly self-contained. She came over to me, asking if I had a safety pin. I did - the elastic in her skirt had loosened, if I remember correctly. We sat in the Ladies' Lounge, bonding instantly.
Because I was childless, I asked her the question I ask most charming people I have the privilege to meet: "We could not have children - would you like to be adopted?" She looked at me with a twinkle in her eye and professed that she would love to have me be her mother. This was sixteen years ago. We didn't see each other very much as she and I lived in different states.
I recall a visit years ago, when she casually asked if we all could come up to Washington, where she could care for us. Now we are a fragile lot, but back then I just assumed she was offering her heart. She is a spunky and determined woman, and we love her tremendously. She and my husband continued their discussion while I was busy doing whatever grabbed my attention at that moment.
She is overly fond of all things Disney - she collects gorgeous antique furniture to showcase them. I tease her by telling everyone I meet she moved us in because my sister and I are both "antiques." My having worked at Disneyland for four years qualified me as her largest and most talkative Disney souvenir. We plan on buying a house for the three of us, with a special room for all the delightful Disney stuff - hmm, I wonder if she will make me stay in there...
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Blessings! Deb