MY ACADEMY AWARDS MOMENT: a dedication and giving of thanks
You know how those actors, directors, producers, and set designers get up on that stage and bore us with their long list of people they want to thank? (Back when I used to watch the Academy Awards–in the 70s?)
Well…I get it now.
I haven’t done anything broad-reaching and I’m not famous and I didn’t rake in several million bucks for my latest movie.
But I achieved a personal goal. One that I felt God was asking me to do and one that many people supported me in: this blebsite (blog and website—I never know which to call it.)
So I just have to. { Give thanks. }
And I want to say there is power in encouraging words. I saved all the cards, notes, and texts that people sent me. Heck, I even transcribed a couple of phone messages of encouragement.
{ I needed a lot of encouragement, folks. }
I suppose that shows my level of insecurity in this arena.
But God, and so many of my friends, and even a few “barely knew them” people, told me to write. And it’s a wonderful thing to have people tell you to do the very thing that you love to do. It confirms that you are on the right track.
I must give thanks first and foremost to my beautiful Savior, Jesus Christ. Without You, I would be lost and a nobody. With You, I am so very found and a someone. Thank You for what You did… and continue to do. There really are no words to describe Who You are…
And now to those precious souls:
In 2012, a dear friend of mine entered into heaven. She was the first friend of mine to go to heaven. It was hard to say goodbye. But that’s what I had to do because she knew she was dying and we had that “last phone call,” those “last words” shared between two people who had become close—who had become friends.
In that final conversation she said something like this: “You know I love your writing and, I’m telling you, you better start writing in a more public way, to share your gift and help people. If you don’t, I’ll hound you from heaven.”
Yes. Marilyn had a bold and strong personality—even with death only a few days away.
About a year after that, I attempted to write a blog, but I wasn’t ready—for a lot of my own personal reasons. Back then, it would’ve been all about the pain. Now I have experienced that joy does come in the morning and that there is purpose in our pain.
But I never forgot my friend, Marilyn’s… threat–lol–her kind of encouragement. Actually, maybe she is hounding me from heaven because I could never seem to get away from the blebsite idea. People who did not even know I had started one, and/or was considering another, would take me aside to tell me they had a great idea for me: I should be a writer—and some would even get so specific as to say I should start a blog. It was either amusing to me or I was internally ashamed because I hadn’t “answered the call.”
So the first person I want to thank and dedicate this blog to is my friend Marilyn. One reason I want to single her out to be at the top of the list is that Marilyn never fully bloomed as she could have.
She had so many talents and passions but was never able to overcome fears and insecurities or discover “her place” to bloom.
{ I saw what this did to her. }
And it created a great desire and passion in me to help other women (including myself!) to learn how to overcome the obstacles to blooming for God.
What Marilyn did know how to do is encourage others to bloom. She was her daughters and my greatest fan.
Thanks for believing in us, Marilyn. This blog’s for you. We will reap a harvest of blooms in heaven, in part because of the seeds of encouragement that you planted.
And now I want to thank some more precious souls who, without their support and prayers and encouragement, I would have given up—and not just on this blog but possibly on the hope of having any kind of happy life.
My mom. Oh, the love of a mother. I think her love is as close to the love of God as a person can get. Her love and prayers for me have been going strong since 1958. The year of my birth. She sees in me things that no one else does. She loves me like no one else does. She prays for me like no one else does. She “lifted me up” more times than I could possibly count.
Jesse. The man I married when I was 22 years old. We had a lot of growing up to do together. A husband plays so many roles in a woman’s life. Jesse’s love for me never wavered. Sometimes it wasn’t easy for us to navigate the “two shall become one,” but we did it and we are still loving each other and still ” in love” with each other. God was the super-glue that always kept us together. Thanks, Jesse, for believing I’m amazing, even on the days when I’m not so amazing. And thank you for being humble and brave enough to change with me—and to help me become all God wants me to become. I need your support. I love you, Jesse Hamilton.
My dearest friend, Mary. You know the friend you made when you were a kid? You had crazy-fun together and you grew up together—physically and emotionally and spiritually? For me that friend is Mary. We know way too much about each other—but, really, it’s all good. Because we found Jesus at a young age and we grew and matured in Him as we matured in every other way. Mary is my sure and solid and forever friend. My encourager and my personal prayer warrior. My silly, belly-laugh girlfriend that we all need when life gets too intense. She has been the friend who will help clean cupboards, wash dishes, go for a bike ride, cry with me over a significant loss, or just sit quietly—whatever is needed. She has been there for me. Always. This trip on earth would not have been the same without you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I love you.
Vilma. Yet another forever friend. God introduced us to each other over 30 years ago through a work situation. I can’t believe it has been that long ago! Sometimes you meet a person so incredibly special that you have to keep pinching yourself to make sure it isn’t a dream. Vilma, you are such a loving, pure-hearted, faithful friend. Whenever I think of you, I get relaxed and happy inside. I feel so loved and secure in your love for me as a friend. Unconditional love. You so underestimate yourself, my friend. There are many in your life who could not make it without you. You have sacrificial, pure love. That’s all there is to it. And I am so entirely blessed to be your friend.
In addition to the above, I have three friends who got me through an extremely difficult time: Wendy, Bill, and Diane. I’m not sure how I would have gotten through this particular chapter of my life without them. You all know what you did for me during this dark time. I am forever grateful to you.
Wendy: I’ve always said that you were my bonus when I married your brother. Though 6+ years younger than me, we became the best of friends at a very young age. You are faithful and fun. Some of my best memories have been with you. In addition to that, you have always, always, always encouraged me in my writing, stating numerous times that I am your favorite writer. Thank you for encouraging me. I do think, though, that I may have stiff competition from my niece—that beautiful daughter of yours. She is definitely a budding writer. I love you, sister.
Bill. Another forever friend. Geometry class. Junior high school. 1972? We are soooo old. I’m not sure anyone can make me laugh as hard as you can. Seems like we barely get started on a conversation and I am in stitches. Everyone needs a friend like that! But…you aren’t just “a fun friend.” You were there for me during my darkest time—listening to me talk. And talk. And talk. And it wasn’t happy talk, either. You always took my calls. You. Were. There. Thank you. I love you, too!
Diane. God brought you into my life during that dark season to take the baton from Bill. That’s what it seemed like. We discovered we were kindred spirits in so many ways. Even in regard to some of the trials we were going through. Sometimes we need someone who doesn’t just understand from the outside looking in, but we need someone who is right in there with us. That’s where you were. In the…pit, too. (Yea. we were in a pit together. Made pit dwelling a bit easier, and best of all, we were able to boost and pull each other OUT of that pit!!). That saying I heard recently was an unspoken motto for us: Judge less. Pray more. Thank you for your prayers and friendship and support during this tough time. I’m glad we aren’t in the pit anymore. Would we still be there if God hadn’t brought us together for that dark season? But I must say that I am thrilled we have moved on to more pleasant and scenic paths of our journeys. I’m not sure I’ve ever known of friends who had “a song” but, well, we do:
Take heart, my friend, we’ll go together
This uncertain road that lies ahead
Our faithful God has always gone before us
And He will lead the way once again
Take heart, my friend, we can walk together
And if our burdens become too great
We can hold up and help one other
In God’s love and God’s grace (lyrics by Fernando Ortega)
And as I was nearing an important stage of this journey—a big marker—I had two important people in my life, Teresa and Glenn, who gave me that last push. The words you spoke to me when I was feeling entirely worn out and I was unable to even see if I was close to the finish line, those words were like breath from heaven—wind at my back. You were speaking His words in my ear, telling me not to stop, that I was almost there, that you believed in me and that I had a message to share that would change lives. THANK YOU!!! You really have no idea how much you helped me on the last leg.
And I want to give a special thanks to Beverly and Catherine for your recent input and support into my life. As mature women of God, you are showing me, by example, that’s it’s never too late to change career/ministry paths in order to become authentically who we are created to be—even at an older age. You are Late Bloomers! You bravely blazed trails to your purpose, people, passion and places. You are my guides, encouragers, and mentors. A short bio from Beverly can be found here on my website: http://www.borntobloom.today/beverly-a-late-bloomer/
I also want to thank someone who must remain anonymous but this person graced me with a gift that has enabled me to pursue some of my dreams. We all have a part to play and without your gift, I would have remained stuck—unable to move forward with the ideas and dreams in my heart.
So now I have to stop or I will start hurting feelings. I have been blessed with so very many incredibly loving friends and family members and I am grateful to every single one of you for your love, prayers, and encouragement. Many smiling faces are popping into my head right now but I fear if I start listing more people I will leave someone special out. I guess these I’ve listed have been the prime players in my life—and that hasn’t always been an easy role to play, so don’t feel left out, you others. You most likely got the best of me. These listed saw some of my worst days. So…REJOICE if you weren’t listed. Haha.
Like I said, though. We all have a part to play in each other’s lives and even in the lives of strangers.
I’ve read stories of people who were about to give up on a dream, or were even considering suicide, but changed their mind when one kind soul did, or said, something nice to, and for, them.
We can’t possibly know how important our words and interactions are with other people.
But there will come a time when we will see and know. And we will be amazed.
So keep loving, giving, and encouraging. And also be sure to be a good receiver, too.
We all–ALL–need help sometimes.
And we are in this together…
Share your God-given gifts.
Encourage and bless someone today…with the amazing one-of-a-kind person He made you to be.