It is strange how my mind works sometimes. I can be rocking along and a memory come to mind for no apparent reason. Sometimes something specific will cause one to surface. I have different reactions to memories. I am very fortunate to have been allowed to build such a vast bank of memories from the people that God has blessed me with. Some have stayed for a very long time – others were only in my life for a short period.

Almost every Tuesday night, Pat Petty comes to our house for supper. Pat has been in my life for as long as I can remember. She is truly family and my special blessing. Last week, even though it wasn’t cold outside, I decided I was hungry for homemade vegetable beef soup. I knew Pat loved the soup and cornbread so away to Davids I went to get what I needed.

I came home and started the soup. I got the stew meat in with the water and beef broth. I was happy – felt good and was enjoying myself. I peeled the onions and carrots and cut them up. I cut up the celery. Then I went to the phone to make a call and stopped in my tracks. Then the dam broke. I cried until I could not see. For the first time in more years than I could count, someone was no longer here to share the soup with. For more years than I can count, every time I made homemade vegetable beef soup, I took a bowl of it with cornbread to Loyd Davidson. It was habit to call him to alert him that supper was being delivered. Then I began to smile remembering his last comment to me at Trinity Mission the day before he died.

“I am so glad you and Brian came to see me,” Loyd said with a struggle to get his breath. “And Karen, that soup you brought me the other night was the best you have ever made.”

My tears were replaced with a big ol’ smile. I know that every time I make soup, I will smile as I think of Loyd.

There are other memories I have that make me smile also. One happens every year on October 25th. On that day in 1990, Brian and I were married. God blessed me with a great guy that loves me no matter what and there are times I know that I am not so easy to love.

But, October 25th gives me another reason to smile. Someone that I bonded with years ago has a birthday. And every one of the birthdays I know is a special gift from God to the world.

In 1992, Brian and I moved to the Villas Apts here in Italy and began our part-time job as managers. We had great neighbors and were very fond of them. We made friends there that are still our friends today.

One morning, I was at home and heard my neighbor screaming for help. I ran next door and she told me her little girl was very ill. I know God exists because He was with us that morning. When I saw her child, I understood why she was so panicked. That little girl was having trouble breathing. I asked my neighbor to get her keys and start the car so we could take her to the hospital. I carried her daughter to the car and we started to Corsicana.

On the way to the hospital, I realized how sick she was when she stopped breathing. I wanted to panic, but knew I had to keep it together. I guess instinct kicked in because I began doing CPR. For what seemed like hours, but was only a little while, she did not breathe. Finally, she gasped. I think that was the most beautiful sound I had ever heard in my life.

I knew that God had performed a miracle that morning. I felt that this sweet child had been saved for a special reason and after watching her grow up, I know I am right.

I am so blessed to have been a part of her life for 18 years. I don’t know why God loved me so much to place her in my life, but I am very thankful He did.

For almost 18 years I have been blessed to watch Melissa Smithey grow up into a beautiful, intelligent, hard working, talented, athletic young lady. When I look back at that morning so long ago, it is hard for me to realize she is all grown up.

Melissa, I won’t go on and on about how wonderful you are because I don’t want to embarrass you. But I do want you to know how blessed I am to have you in my life. Thank you for being such an important part of mine.

HAPPY 18TH MELISSA!!